A Middle East sage remarked that Americans only learn about religions, geography and history by going to war.
Did you know that Muslims believe Mahdi will return soon to cleanse the world of infidels? He will then establish a universal Islamic rule.He sounds like the Judeo-Christian Messiah. Scholars believe that both the Mahdi and the Messiah are loosely based on Ahura Mazda. That was the supreme god of the 6th century B.C. Persian prophet Zoroaster.
Recent attempts to form a new government in Iraq are also proving to be educational. It would appear that mutually exclusive political tribes are trying to form a government in a future Iraq that will allow those tribes to remain mutually exclusive!
Maybe the lesson to be drawn is that mutually exclusive tribes will not fit into a democratic paradigm . In future the worlds people wiil probably end up belong to various tribes because the cost of central government is more than local government which is more efficient and adaptive.
Friday, July 01, 2005
Federal Government Should be Outsourced to States : Low-Cost Producers
Outsourcing is costing America jobs. Why not apply that tactic to the inefficient Federal Government? Recent studies show the cost of government of all kinds and their regulations in the U S add up to app. $ 25,000 per capita. The bulk of that cost are the Feds. Because of those costs the U S is less competitive in world markets. By the way, our overpayed reps will be getting a $3100 inflation-indexed wage increase in January , 2006. This will bring their salary to over $ 165,000 per year. This does not include the medical benefits. Their pensions average over $ 100,000 per year with a 50 years of age starting pont versus $ 14,000 per year and 62 years of age for the rest of us in the Social Security System.
In contrast , 2004 saw the first drop in inflation- adjusted wages in a decade-the average worker lost ground with the app. $ 30,000 per year wage. The U S does not need high-priced government in a Darwinian world that only rewards low-cost adaptive behavior. Bring the government jobs back to the states. All politics are local. We can better keep a lookout for charlatans who we can stop from growing to a menacing size if they are in our midst. Also recent popular movements like border security and geenhouse gas cutbacks all started at the state level. Special interests have a lock on Washington. Let's dismantle that town.
In contrast , 2004 saw the first drop in inflation- adjusted wages in a decade-the average worker lost ground with the app. $ 30,000 per year wage. The U S does not need high-priced government in a Darwinian world that only rewards low-cost adaptive behavior. Bring the government jobs back to the states. All politics are local. We can better keep a lookout for charlatans who we can stop from growing to a menacing size if they are in our midst. Also recent popular movements like border security and geenhouse gas cutbacks all started at the state level. Special interests have a lock on Washington. Let's dismantle that town.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Physics of Iraq Civil War And Solution
Einstein's famous equation of energy being equal to mass is like all insights a metaphor-it has many applications. The recently anounced fusion reactor project in Cadarache, France is modeled on the physics of that equation. That is an example of good physics. But their are metaphors that demonstrate physics that are not productive. Substitute " Enmity " for energy and " Meddling " for mass ( enmity = meddling ) and one can grasp more easily what is going on in Iraq today.
America is knowingly or unknowingly subsidizing a civil war in Iraq. With 70 % unemployed, the only jobs are with the Iraqi Security Forces. The funding comes from infrastructure reconstruction-which has shriveled because of the Civil War. The Kurds and the Shiites are taking adsvantage of the American money to wage tribal war against the Sunnis-their ancient foe. The Sunnis naturally resent the American meddling with an increase in their enmity which translates into a fusion-like war without end.
What is the answer? Simple. Remove one side of the equation. The only side we control is the M- side. Stop meddling and the war reactor will shut down.
America is knowingly or unknowingly subsidizing a civil war in Iraq. With 70 % unemployed, the only jobs are with the Iraqi Security Forces. The funding comes from infrastructure reconstruction-which has shriveled because of the Civil War. The Kurds and the Shiites are taking adsvantage of the American money to wage tribal war against the Sunnis-their ancient foe. The Sunnis naturally resent the American meddling with an increase in their enmity which translates into a fusion-like war without end.
What is the answer? Simple. Remove one side of the equation. The only side we control is the M- side. Stop meddling and the war reactor will shut down.
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Eminent Domain: Federal, State & U. N. Power Abuse
When does the phrase " public use " mean " public purpose "? When the Supreme Court says so. The recent 5-4 Supreme Court decision to seize private property in New London, Conn. for the purpose of commercial development demonstrates a clear judicial activism that violates the 5th Amendment. This was not for " public use " but for " public purpose " which is a subjective classification that can in the future be twisted into any legally- pretzeled decision a court would want. It sets adrift another protection of individuals from governments intrusive powers. The states still have preeminence in their respective eminent domain statutes but what pandering -politician will not now be offering special interests this new windfall of legal larcency.
How far could it go ? Look at history. The U.N. in 1947 voted to partition historic Palestine to the purpose of creating Israel. How did the U.N. get the power of eminent domain? The so-called democratic process of the U.N. turned into a kleptocracy of bought votes and political trading.
Like the U.N. our Supeme Court has gotten into illegal and unethical areas. Both organizations should be cropped of powers or risk being considered non-relevant and unfunded.
How far could it go ? Look at history. The U.N. in 1947 voted to partition historic Palestine to the purpose of creating Israel. How did the U.N. get the power of eminent domain? The so-called democratic process of the U.N. turned into a kleptocracy of bought votes and political trading.
Like the U.N. our Supeme Court has gotten into illegal and unethical areas. Both organizations should be cropped of powers or risk being considered non-relevant and unfunded.
WMD / Intelligence Failure : You Get What You Pay For
The Washington Post recently revealed that 2 analysts responsible for Iraqi pre-war WMD intelligence failures received good performance awards. The Army's National Ground Intelligence Center awarded lump-sum cash payments in fiscal 2002, 2003 and 2004 to George Norris and Robert Campos. These analysts made the case for the now infamous " aluminum tubes " that supposedly were part of an Iraqi nuclear centrifuge process. As it turns out the tubes were probably parts of the Nasser 81 rocket ( non-nuclear gear part ).
Former Under Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz was the team leader of the Office of Special Plans that assembled information from various sources in the run-up to the invaision of Iraq . Most of that info has been found to have been cherry-picked to support an invaision. This was the " fixing information around policy " which was the message of the " Downing St Memo ". For his possible criminal/conspiratorial performance he was promoted to President of the World Bank.
Condoleeza Rice who was National Security Advisor to Bush was promoted to Secretary of State. This advance was in spite of her demonstrated lack of sophistication and competence in presenting these doctored intelligence reports to the unqualified Bush.
George Tenet, the CIA Director who resigned because of this breakdown on his watch, was awarded the Medal Of Freedom by Bush.
Was the rewarding of all those lapses of performance planned? If so they were bribes and a conspiracy of Homeric proportions. Or could they be further encouragement to " get along by going along "- an unspoken policy of following orders rather than following facts?
These are fine lines in criminal cases that are almost impossible to prove unless someone confesses.
In general, everything happens for a reason and you get what you pay for.
Former Under Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz was the team leader of the Office of Special Plans that assembled information from various sources in the run-up to the invaision of Iraq . Most of that info has been found to have been cherry-picked to support an invaision. This was the " fixing information around policy " which was the message of the " Downing St Memo ". For his possible criminal/conspiratorial performance he was promoted to President of the World Bank.
Condoleeza Rice who was National Security Advisor to Bush was promoted to Secretary of State. This advance was in spite of her demonstrated lack of sophistication and competence in presenting these doctored intelligence reports to the unqualified Bush.
George Tenet, the CIA Director who resigned because of this breakdown on his watch, was awarded the Medal Of Freedom by Bush.
Was the rewarding of all those lapses of performance planned? If so they were bribes and a conspiracy of Homeric proportions. Or could they be further encouragement to " get along by going along "- an unspoken policy of following orders rather than following facts?
These are fine lines in criminal cases that are almost impossible to prove unless someone confesses.
In general, everything happens for a reason and you get what you pay for.
Friday, June 24, 2005
ADL Censors Senate Language : " Hitler, Nazis , Holocaust "
Abraham Foxman is the National Director of ADL ( Anti- Defamation League ). Like the NAACP, they are a race-based organization, but this one has a focus on Jewish interests. Given the historical backround of the Jews it was inevitable that a benevolent society would be formed. But ADL and Mr. Foxman like all bureaucracies are engaging in mission creep. Now they are into language control. None other than the US Senate is subject to ADL's censorship. Two recent examples concern Senators Rick Santorum, R-PA and Richard Durbin, D-IL.
In both cases, the Senators were making statements unrelated to Jewish interests-not even obliquely. The Senators drew criticism from ADL when they used comparative imagery of Hitler and Nazi tactics in reference to the Senators seperate issues of filibuster and military detainee abuse. Well Mr Foxman swooped down on the unsuspecting Senators like a bill collector.
Mr. Foxman said, " This kind of language makes no sense. America's elected officials must refrain from invoking Hitler, the Nazis and the Holocaust, which have no place in our nation's political discourse. "
Both Senators promptly apologized publicly. They both had to pay the fine of honoring the memory of the Holocaust in a prepared statement. The apologies were so similar. It seemed ADL dictated the important facts to mention.
Enough already. America paid the ultimate price in WW II by defeating Hitler and saving Jewish lives. I don't know what Mr. Foxman or his relatives were doing during the war, but Americans died. And in a very real way Foxman owes his over payed job to their deaths.
By the way, when are the Holocast survivors and Israel going to thank America for their very existence ? And all those monetary settlements from various countries as war reparations, why isn't some of that money being shared with the relatives of dead service people of the Allied Forces ?
In both cases, the Senators were making statements unrelated to Jewish interests-not even obliquely. The Senators drew criticism from ADL when they used comparative imagery of Hitler and Nazi tactics in reference to the Senators seperate issues of filibuster and military detainee abuse. Well Mr Foxman swooped down on the unsuspecting Senators like a bill collector.
Mr. Foxman said, " This kind of language makes no sense. America's elected officials must refrain from invoking Hitler, the Nazis and the Holocaust, which have no place in our nation's political discourse. "
Both Senators promptly apologized publicly. They both had to pay the fine of honoring the memory of the Holocaust in a prepared statement. The apologies were so similar. It seemed ADL dictated the important facts to mention.
Enough already. America paid the ultimate price in WW II by defeating Hitler and saving Jewish lives. I don't know what Mr. Foxman or his relatives were doing during the war, but Americans died. And in a very real way Foxman owes his over payed job to their deaths.
By the way, when are the Holocast survivors and Israel going to thank America for their very existence ? And all those monetary settlements from various countries as war reparations, why isn't some of that money being shared with the relatives of dead service people of the Allied Forces ?
Secretary Rice Should Preach Democracy in Zimbabwe
Secretary Rice is in the Middle East preaching democracy. Speaking at the American University in Cairo, Ms. Rice said, " For 60 years , my country pursued stability at the expense of democracy in this region here in the Middle East. Now we are taking a different course. We are supporting democratic aspirations of all people. "
The " different course " ( preemptive war ) has caused 1700 plus American lives ( 42,000 wounded ) , 100,000 plus Iraqi and Afghan deaths and $ 300 billion in war costs, so far. Who doesn't yearn for yesteryears stability ?
Secretary Rice was given full state honors in Egypt. But the host had to suffer the criticisms of the guest Ms. Rice. Egypt has representative government to the extent present circumstances allow. Why doesn't Condi visit Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe and insult and criticize his policy of demolishing the homes of the oppostion-leaving 200,000 homeless ?
Alas, Condi ain't dumb. She has heard what happened to missionaries in Africa. They put 'em in pots and boiled 'em.
The " different course " ( preemptive war ) has caused 1700 plus American lives ( 42,000 wounded ) , 100,000 plus Iraqi and Afghan deaths and $ 300 billion in war costs, so far. Who doesn't yearn for yesteryears stability ?
Secretary Rice was given full state honors in Egypt. But the host had to suffer the criticisms of the guest Ms. Rice. Egypt has representative government to the extent present circumstances allow. Why doesn't Condi visit Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe and insult and criticize his policy of demolishing the homes of the oppostion-leaving 200,000 homeless ?
Alas, Condi ain't dumb. She has heard what happened to missionaries in Africa. They put 'em in pots and boiled 'em.
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Gospel of Christ: Succeeds at Personal Level, Fails at Political Level
Billy Graham, the 86 year old evangelist will encore his 1957 visit to New York on June 24, 2005. He is expected to draw upwards of 70,000 at Flushing Meadows.
Mr. Graham said, " There's 100- and - something languages spoken within walking distance of Corona Park and I know that the problems of the world are there. And I beleive that the Gospel of Christ is the answer, not part of the answer, but the whole answer."
Well, Mr. Graham, yes and no. The Gospel of Christ may help as a personal creed but it fails as a political movement- particularly in the pluristic experiment called American democracy. People are known by their differences. Each of us approach challenges and life choices differently. Some pray and refer to the Bible for answers. While others use reason and custom.
Religion is a personal choice. Trying to go national or international with it's protocols cause agitation and war. Abortion and euthanasia are 2 of many private questions and choices. With regard to war, there have been more wars fought in God's name than any other reason.
Mr. Graham said, " There's 100- and - something languages spoken within walking distance of Corona Park and I know that the problems of the world are there. And I beleive that the Gospel of Christ is the answer, not part of the answer, but the whole answer."
Well, Mr. Graham, yes and no. The Gospel of Christ may help as a personal creed but it fails as a political movement- particularly in the pluristic experiment called American democracy. People are known by their differences. Each of us approach challenges and life choices differently. Some pray and refer to the Bible for answers. While others use reason and custom.
Religion is a personal choice. Trying to go national or international with it's protocols cause agitation and war. Abortion and euthanasia are 2 of many private questions and choices. With regard to war, there have been more wars fought in God's name than any other reason.
Monday, June 20, 2005
Disney in Hong Kong: Can Mickey Mouse Succeed Where Lao-Tzu & Buddha Failed
Hong Kong will see the opening of Disneyland on September 12, 2005. The house of the mouse will bring what is left of the original Walt Disney legacy- respect for animals. Bambi, the 1942 movie, was the premier animation film that sent that message in a raw but poetic form of the hunter and the hunted from the hunted's prospective. " Man is in the forrest", said Bambi's mother. In China and Hong Kong it is hard to see the forrest for all those Chinese get in the way. There are 1000 Pandas in the wild and 1.25 billion Chinese. That ratio tells the whole story. Now with the industrial revolution moving to their neighborhood, the appetites of their ancient ids ( primal instincts ) want the delicacies of animal parts of endangered species.
The live markets of animals in stuffed- full cages would make some lose an appetite but not so with some of the " eatabus anythingabus" Chinese. The Avian Flu could be the fowls political equivalent of the suicide bomber in the Middle East. The Chinese should shift to more vegetables in their diet if their race is to be more healthy.
The wisdom of Lao-Tzu and of Buddha which advocated harmony with one's surroundings has largely gone unheeded. Look at Three Gorges Dam. Can Mickey succeed? Let's hope that mouse power can turn this hoard around.
The live markets of animals in stuffed- full cages would make some lose an appetite but not so with some of the " eatabus anythingabus" Chinese. The Avian Flu could be the fowls political equivalent of the suicide bomber in the Middle East. The Chinese should shift to more vegetables in their diet if their race is to be more healthy.
The wisdom of Lao-Tzu and of Buddha which advocated harmony with one's surroundings has largely gone unheeded. Look at Three Gorges Dam. Can Mickey succeed? Let's hope that mouse power can turn this hoard around.
Sunday, June 19, 2005
BiDil : N Y Times Sees Threat to Multiculturism
The FDA approved BiDil, a particularly effective treatment againt heart failure in African-Americans-the first race based drug. This should be welcomed as good progress. But some see a threat. For example, the N Y Times June 19, 2005 editorial. The editor twists the drugs approval into a speculation on social ramifications. The high priests of multiculturism perceive a threat to their dreams of a society which has no class and no culture. They wring their editorial hands over how the testing could have been expanded to make sure other races could be included. Are editors implying that the Nazis and the Fascists started this way?
Simply, NitroMed did not have the money for an extended market test. The company went to the FDA with the results they had-it will help African-Americans now. Not enough for the N Y Times. Any narrow based drugs must take into account social implications-everyone must advance or nobody should advance.
This is science where differences are measured. Social mechanics want to overlook differences. The best advice is never to overlook differences.
Simply, NitroMed did not have the money for an extended market test. The company went to the FDA with the results they had-it will help African-Americans now. Not enough for the N Y Times. Any narrow based drugs must take into account social implications-everyone must advance or nobody should advance.
This is science where differences are measured. Social mechanics want to overlook differences. The best advice is never to overlook differences.
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Downing St. Memo: Cheney, Israel & Evangelicals Wanted Iraq War
Sir Richard Dearlove,Chief of British Intelligence, was quoted in the secret memo to PM Blair dated July 23, 2002, "...the intelligence and facts[of Iraq] were being fixed around[Administration] policy."
Who in the administration has the power to dictate policy in the Middle East? Who in the administration has knowledge of how intelligence is gathered and how to manage facts? Who in the administration is the poster boy for the military-industrial complex ( and a former CEO of Halliburton)? Who is a founding member of The Project for the New American Century(goal of US empire)?
Vice-President Dick Cheney is the answer.
What country in the Middle East would profit from the chaos of war that engulfs it's neighbors? What country's lobby advocates securing Iraq, Iran, Syria and Lebanon from being a threat? What country has friends in the Pentagon?
Israel is the answer.
What about Bush? Dubya and Condi Rice are Evangelicals who are spreading the " Good Tidings " of the Bible by introducing democracy via preemptive war. They are the useful idiots of Cheney, Rumsfeld and the Zionists Paul Wolfowitz, Douglas Feith and others in the Pentagon.
Congressman John Conyers, the ranking democrat on the House Judiciary Committee is taking the lead in asking the administration to respond to the Downing St. Memo. He with Senator Carl Levin of the Senate Armed Services Committee have already called for action against Douglas Feith for " deceiving Congress" on Iraqi prewar intelligence. Success has many fathers. Failure is an orphan. Iraq and Afghanistan are failures. Congress will now do a kind of DNA investigation of who was part of the conception.
Who in the administration has the power to dictate policy in the Middle East? Who in the administration has knowledge of how intelligence is gathered and how to manage facts? Who in the administration is the poster boy for the military-industrial complex ( and a former CEO of Halliburton)? Who is a founding member of The Project for the New American Century(goal of US empire)?
Vice-President Dick Cheney is the answer.
What country in the Middle East would profit from the chaos of war that engulfs it's neighbors? What country's lobby advocates securing Iraq, Iran, Syria and Lebanon from being a threat? What country has friends in the Pentagon?
Israel is the answer.
What about Bush? Dubya and Condi Rice are Evangelicals who are spreading the " Good Tidings " of the Bible by introducing democracy via preemptive war. They are the useful idiots of Cheney, Rumsfeld and the Zionists Paul Wolfowitz, Douglas Feith and others in the Pentagon.
Congressman John Conyers, the ranking democrat on the House Judiciary Committee is taking the lead in asking the administration to respond to the Downing St. Memo. He with Senator Carl Levin of the Senate Armed Services Committee have already called for action against Douglas Feith for " deceiving Congress" on Iraqi prewar intelligence. Success has many fathers. Failure is an orphan. Iraq and Afghanistan are failures. Congress will now do a kind of DNA investigation of who was part of the conception.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Less Recruits and Officers: Bush's Failed Foreign Policy
" Make the choice to serve in a cause larger than your wants, larger than yourself and in your days you will add not just to the wealth of our country but to its character...". That was an excerpt from President Bush's 2005 Inaugural Address.
" We can target the guilty and protect the innocent". That was an excerpt from President Bush's address to the graduating class of the Naval Academy at Annapolis on June 11, 2005.
The response to our commander in chief's call to arms has been a 62% drop in Army recruits. Standards have been lowered in Army testing to accept previously denied personnel who scored in the lowest percentiles of the Vocational Aptitude Battery. Applicants to the service academies are down: West Point, 9%;Naval Academy,20%; Air Force Academy, 27%.
As a leader Bush is a failure. His inugural address referral to " .. you will add not just to the wealth of your country..." smacks of wars on behalf of the military-industrial complex. The Naval Academy speech mentions"... we can target the guilty[regime] and protect the innocent[civilians]..". What about the 100,000 plus collateral deaths in Iraq and the infrastructure that disappeared in explosions?
Bush, Cheney,Rumsfeld etc. are trying to sell " a no boots on the ground" preemptive war strategy known antiseptically as CONPLAN 8022. This grew out of the 2002 White House " National Security Strategy of the United States of America". But the prospective armed services personnel are not falling for the CON GAME or CONPLAN.
In the end of all wars the margin of victory is provided by the killing of people in house to house combat. Our soldiers would need a self preservation reason greater than the owner of the house who he is killing to win.
Bush and his dyspeptic advisors have only made a case for their own banishment rather than some cooked up enemy in Iraq or Afghanistan.
" We can target the guilty and protect the innocent". That was an excerpt from President Bush's address to the graduating class of the Naval Academy at Annapolis on June 11, 2005.
The response to our commander in chief's call to arms has been a 62% drop in Army recruits. Standards have been lowered in Army testing to accept previously denied personnel who scored in the lowest percentiles of the Vocational Aptitude Battery. Applicants to the service academies are down: West Point, 9%;Naval Academy,20%; Air Force Academy, 27%.
As a leader Bush is a failure. His inugural address referral to " .. you will add not just to the wealth of your country..." smacks of wars on behalf of the military-industrial complex. The Naval Academy speech mentions"... we can target the guilty[regime] and protect the innocent[civilians]..". What about the 100,000 plus collateral deaths in Iraq and the infrastructure that disappeared in explosions?
Bush, Cheney,Rumsfeld etc. are trying to sell " a no boots on the ground" preemptive war strategy known antiseptically as CONPLAN 8022. This grew out of the 2002 White House " National Security Strategy of the United States of America". But the prospective armed services personnel are not falling for the CON GAME or CONPLAN.
In the end of all wars the margin of victory is provided by the killing of people in house to house combat. Our soldiers would need a self preservation reason greater than the owner of the house who he is killing to win.
Bush and his dyspeptic advisors have only made a case for their own banishment rather than some cooked up enemy in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Bush is Righteous: Iraq & Schiavo are God's Policies
June 15, 2005- The autopsy of Terri Schiavo found that her brain had withered to one-half normal size. She was also found to have been blind. Dr. Thogmartin, medical examiner of Penellas County, Florida stated that the damage was irreversible.
June 15, 2005- Scott McClellan , spokesman for the president stated, " It [autopsy] doesn't change the position the president took. The president believes we should stand on the side of defending and protecting life."
Beware of people who think themselves instruments of God's will on earth. Iraq, executive and congressional interference in the Terri Schiavo affair and plans for more evangelism by way of preemptive war vividly depicts the righteousness of a delusional President Bush. Once righteousness has taken hold of someone further learning ceases.
June 15, 2005- Scott McClellan , spokesman for the president stated, " It [autopsy] doesn't change the position the president took. The president believes we should stand on the side of defending and protecting life."
Beware of people who think themselves instruments of God's will on earth. Iraq, executive and congressional interference in the Terri Schiavo affair and plans for more evangelism by way of preemptive war vividly depicts the righteousness of a delusional President Bush. Once righteousness has taken hold of someone further learning ceases.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Aipac / Israel: Spying & History
Never has a country been given so much- yet it always wants more. Israel, America's so-called ally and poster child for democracy in the Middle East was involved- again- in receiving US state secrets. On June 13, 2005 Lawrence Franklin, a former Pentagon analsyt who worked under Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz's was charged with disclosing classified information to an Israeli official. The intelligence concerned Iran's weapon testing. Franklin has also been recently charged with passing the same classified intelligence to 2 representatives of AIPAC ( American Israeli Public Affairs Committee ). Investigators alledge that Franklin gave the intelligence to Naor Gilon, an Israeli embassy official. The Israeli official then gave back to Franklin suggestions and instructions that he ( Franklin) incorporated into an " action memo" to his superiors in the Pentagon. There you have it. An agent of Israel, a foreign country, influencing intelligence conclusions about US options that reflected Israel's goals rather than America's. This is what probably happened in the Iraq rush to war intelligence.
In 1986, a US Naval officer Jonathon Pollard was sentenced to life imprisonment for spying for Israel. AIPAC has sinced lobbied incessantly for Pollard's pardon. Israel gave Pollard an Israeli citizenship for his dedication.
AIPAC is one of many Israeli- related lobbies in America ( some estimates run to $6 billion of cumalitive budgets). It's supporters have made the most of American inclusiveness by turning it into a caricature of multiculturism. AIPAC supporters played a strategic role in changing US immigration policy in 1965. The effect of that change was to take quotas and desirability of applicants out of policy. What was AIPAC's purpose for immigration involvement? It was a preemptive move to dilute nationalistic tendencies which have always been a problem for minorities like the Jews. But the inundation of foreigners into the US end up tearing the fabric of a cohesive society.
AIPAC supporters have used their political muscle to help establish organizations like the ACLU and the NAACP. Both organizations are at their core devisive and narrow purpose special interests. These are other examples of preemptive political and legal moves to any nationalistic tendencies that end up atomizing US society at large.
AIPAC and Israeli nationaistic models are not necessarily in America's best interest. AIPAC should be registered as an agent of a foreign government. Then all can follow the money trail and the influnce that was bought from our Congress.
In 1986, a US Naval officer Jonathon Pollard was sentenced to life imprisonment for spying for Israel. AIPAC has sinced lobbied incessantly for Pollard's pardon. Israel gave Pollard an Israeli citizenship for his dedication.
AIPAC is one of many Israeli- related lobbies in America ( some estimates run to $6 billion of cumalitive budgets). It's supporters have made the most of American inclusiveness by turning it into a caricature of multiculturism. AIPAC supporters played a strategic role in changing US immigration policy in 1965. The effect of that change was to take quotas and desirability of applicants out of policy. What was AIPAC's purpose for immigration involvement? It was a preemptive move to dilute nationalistic tendencies which have always been a problem for minorities like the Jews. But the inundation of foreigners into the US end up tearing the fabric of a cohesive society.
AIPAC supporters have used their political muscle to help establish organizations like the ACLU and the NAACP. Both organizations are at their core devisive and narrow purpose special interests. These are other examples of preemptive political and legal moves to any nationalistic tendencies that end up atomizing US society at large.
AIPAC and Israeli nationaistic models are not necessarily in America's best interest. AIPAC should be registered as an agent of a foreign government. Then all can follow the money trail and the influnce that was bought from our Congress.
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Gay & Lesbian School Issues : Major in Conformity, Minor in Deviation
Can we teach everyone in school about everything there is to know ? No. There isn't enough time and at least some of the students would not find the information interesting or helpful for their particular plans for the future.
Should we teach heterosexual minors about homosexual alternatives? Why ? School for most is a limited opportunity for the learning of basic skills. Alternative lifestyles are not an appropriate addition to the curriculum- we have to go with the normal not the deviant in subject presentations. Variations on themes are personal choices. People who are queer will certainly spot other queer people and will be able to persue their particular interests.
Physical laws demonstrate that deviant behavior has a price. Alcoholism, drug use, over indulgence of any kind or deviant sexual practices takes a toll. Advocates of gay issues ask for freedom to attract others to their lifestyle. With the liberalization of attitudes towards homosexuality because of the 1960's Civil Rights Acts , came an increase in AIDS which threatens world health. Homosexual issues have now run up against health issues. Homosexual demagogues should rein in their dreams of a brave new world before AIDS becomes a pandemic.
Should we teach heterosexual minors about homosexual alternatives? Why ? School for most is a limited opportunity for the learning of basic skills. Alternative lifestyles are not an appropriate addition to the curriculum- we have to go with the normal not the deviant in subject presentations. Variations on themes are personal choices. People who are queer will certainly spot other queer people and will be able to persue their particular interests.
Physical laws demonstrate that deviant behavior has a price. Alcoholism, drug use, over indulgence of any kind or deviant sexual practices takes a toll. Advocates of gay issues ask for freedom to attract others to their lifestyle. With the liberalization of attitudes towards homosexuality because of the 1960's Civil Rights Acts , came an increase in AIDS which threatens world health. Homosexual issues have now run up against health issues. Homosexual demagogues should rein in their dreams of a brave new world before AIDS becomes a pandemic.
" Liberal Democracy, All Roads Lead to Slavery "
June 8, 2005, Janice Rogers Brown, an African-American daughter of an Alabama sharecropper, was confirmed to the Court of Appeals for Wash. D.C. ( the most influential appellate court in the country) .
The title of this piece is a quotation from a former speech. She has also said, " If we can invoke no ultimate limits on the power of government, a democracy is inevitably transformed into a kleptocracy- a license to steal, a warrant for oppression." I say Amen.
Refreshing words. Finally someone is saying the obvious. We need more like her. Like Rome and the Athenians before them, republics and democracies all end when social redistribution becomes an end in itself. They end even faster when the bill for entitlements are unaffordable. Bread and circus for the Romans is akin to Washington's bureauacracies of largesse to all comers who can pay the price of political support.
We are not all equal. We are known by our differences. Any system of government that does not mimic those realities will not last as long as those who do.
The title of this piece is a quotation from a former speech. She has also said, " If we can invoke no ultimate limits on the power of government, a democracy is inevitably transformed into a kleptocracy- a license to steal, a warrant for oppression." I say Amen.
Refreshing words. Finally someone is saying the obvious. We need more like her. Like Rome and the Athenians before them, republics and democracies all end when social redistribution becomes an end in itself. They end even faster when the bill for entitlements are unaffordable. Bread and circus for the Romans is akin to Washington's bureauacracies of largesse to all comers who can pay the price of political support.
We are not all equal. We are known by our differences. Any system of government that does not mimic those realities will not last as long as those who do.
Friday, June 10, 2005
Warlord Democracy: Middle East Model
The Iraqi government on June 8 declared that all private militias will be allowed to remain- this includes Kurds, Shiites and Sunnis. That statement merely confirmed the realities of democracies that are being underwritten by US treasure and lives. Afghanistan has not formally endorsed private militias yet. But the reality of 100,000 members of private militias will in time lead to a similar statement.
In Washington Sean McCormack, a State Department spokesman said on June 8 that American officials no longer played a role in determining the policy of militias. There you have it. Democracy in the Middle East will really cover nations comprised of war lords that have been the result of the past 10,000 years of evolution. The facade of democracy will disappear as fast as it appeared when America stops bribing war lords to go through the motions of a western style democracy.
America in time will evolve into a model of local and regional governments that more mimic the Middle East experiece. They are more efficient and adaptive forms of governments. Democracies always end up being too expensive.
In Washington Sean McCormack, a State Department spokesman said on June 8 that American officials no longer played a role in determining the policy of militias. There you have it. Democracy in the Middle East will really cover nations comprised of war lords that have been the result of the past 10,000 years of evolution. The facade of democracy will disappear as fast as it appeared when America stops bribing war lords to go through the motions of a western style democracy.
America in time will evolve into a model of local and regional governments that more mimic the Middle East experiece. They are more efficient and adaptive forms of governments. Democracies always end up being too expensive.
Bush the Boob: The Cost of Incompetence
President Bush and Prime Minister Blair were entertaining the faithful and unfaithful alike in Washington on June 7. They had the task of denying the facts of the "Downing Street" memo which was a British Intelligence report documenting in detail Bush's plan to remove Saddam Hussein in July 2002(1 year before the advertised decision). "But intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy." according to Sir Richard Dearlove. He is the chief of British Intelligence.
After dismissing the facts of the document( which also 100 members of Congress want an accounting) Bush went on to congratulate Blair on his reelection, " and I'm really thrilled to be able to work with you to be able to spread freedom and peace over the next years." Bush is a callous boob. His foreign policy of " freedom and peace " is a failure on both counts. Afghanistan and Iraq are in worse shape now than before our arrival . And the world is a more dangerous place for America because of Bush's preemptive war policy.
Spreading freedom? Well Hamas took Bush at his word and made a truce with the new Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israel and ran in local elections. They did very well . In fact so well that President Abbas is postponing July elections under pressure from the US and Israel. Bush has stated publically that the US will not recognize Hamas elected officials! Bush's slovenly thinking has made him a glaring embarassment to the US. Whatever negative response comes from Hamas and groups like them will partly be a result of Bush's incompetence.
It is no wonder why army enlistment is down 62%. Why would someone want to serve this commander in chief- the useful idiot of evangelicals,zionists and neocons.
After dismissing the facts of the document( which also 100 members of Congress want an accounting) Bush went on to congratulate Blair on his reelection, " and I'm really thrilled to be able to work with you to be able to spread freedom and peace over the next years." Bush is a callous boob. His foreign policy of " freedom and peace " is a failure on both counts. Afghanistan and Iraq are in worse shape now than before our arrival . And the world is a more dangerous place for America because of Bush's preemptive war policy.
Spreading freedom? Well Hamas took Bush at his word and made a truce with the new Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israel and ran in local elections. They did very well . In fact so well that President Abbas is postponing July elections under pressure from the US and Israel. Bush has stated publically that the US will not recognize Hamas elected officials! Bush's slovenly thinking has made him a glaring embarassment to the US. Whatever negative response comes from Hamas and groups like them will partly be a result of Bush's incompetence.
It is no wonder why army enlistment is down 62%. Why would someone want to serve this commander in chief- the useful idiot of evangelicals,zionists and neocons.
Mental Health Census: Questionable & Expensive Data
Hey, want to be part of a census that earns $2154 per person ? That was the cost per head for the 9282 people that were asked about their personal mental health. They were not paid that amount but the census takers billed that amount. The National Institute of Mental Health spent app. $ 20 million gathering these facts. One might think a fraud was being perpetrated. But frauds necessarily involve one or more parties being deceived. In this case the federal government, health foundations and pharmaceutical companies all knowingly agreed on the costs. The lead researcher was Dr. Ronald. C. Kessler of Harvard Medical School. who was joined by other researchers at different universities.
The results predicted that 55% of Americans wiil suffer from a mental disorder during their lifetime. The most common problems were: depression(17% affected);alcohol abuse(13%); phobia-anxiety(12%). Now these " mental disorders" were not life threatening or permanently incapacitating but only transistional moods that were eventually dealt with by the affected people themselves .
What really is going on with this type of dubious science is a kind of conspiracy. Harvard, pharmaceutical companies and the federal government are trying to develop new markets or expand their bureaucratic influence into new areas. They need "scientific data" to refer to. With Harvard's help they have new justification. It all smacks of a " con-game".
Too much money flows into Washington and consequently they have too much power. Pharmaceutical companies lobby for new Health and Human Services entitlements. Watch for new drugs in these areas.
The results predicted that 55% of Americans wiil suffer from a mental disorder during their lifetime. The most common problems were: depression(17% affected);alcohol abuse(13%); phobia-anxiety(12%). Now these " mental disorders" were not life threatening or permanently incapacitating but only transistional moods that were eventually dealt with by the affected people themselves .
What really is going on with this type of dubious science is a kind of conspiracy. Harvard, pharmaceutical companies and the federal government are trying to develop new markets or expand their bureaucratic influence into new areas. They need "scientific data" to refer to. With Harvard's help they have new justification. It all smacks of a " con-game".
Too much money flows into Washington and consequently they have too much power. Pharmaceutical companies lobby for new Health and Human Services entitlements. Watch for new drugs in these areas.
General Motors: Metaphor of American Business
In 1979 GM employed 600,000. Now it will employ 125,000 after the recent reductions in the workforce that take place in the next 3 years. On June 7, 2005 GM's CEO Rick Wagoner anounced plant closings and employee reductions that would save the company $2.5 billion per year. He was describing the devolution of an American icon. Simply there was too much capacity and too many workers for the realities of sales at GM. What happened?
In the 60's, Volkswagon introduced the Beetle. It seated 4 (compact people) and got 50 miles per gallon. At that time GM was producing cars that seated 6 ( full-sized people) and getting 8-10 m.p.g. The "Bug" did very well and started a new age in autos. In 1974 the Arab oil embargo hit and long gas lines reinforced the idea of consevative consumer automobile choices. GM followed the trend towards more economical cars and did OK through the late 70's. But then it regressed back to high-cost, high fuel consumption cars but that had high profit margins. It then started to lose it's 50% market share which recently totaled about 22%. Why did they abandon the economical car strategy? Maybe the tail of demands by the United Auto Workers of wages, health benefits and unrealistic pension agreements wagged the GM dog of a policy to high-profit unit sales versus a mass market blitz into low-cost hybrids and efficient compacts? The Hummer,trucks and other SUVS became the folly that may sink this company in it's present form. The paradigm of workers interests policy over good business strategy never works. It is the same philosophical problem of America's social policy through it's runaway legal system and entitlements that are making manufacturers in America less than competitive worldwide.
Non-competitive legal paradigms and unsustainably expensive social programs will end up following GM's car business.
In the 60's, Volkswagon introduced the Beetle. It seated 4 (compact people) and got 50 miles per gallon. At that time GM was producing cars that seated 6 ( full-sized people) and getting 8-10 m.p.g. The "Bug" did very well and started a new age in autos. In 1974 the Arab oil embargo hit and long gas lines reinforced the idea of consevative consumer automobile choices. GM followed the trend towards more economical cars and did OK through the late 70's. But then it regressed back to high-cost, high fuel consumption cars but that had high profit margins. It then started to lose it's 50% market share which recently totaled about 22%. Why did they abandon the economical car strategy? Maybe the tail of demands by the United Auto Workers of wages, health benefits and unrealistic pension agreements wagged the GM dog of a policy to high-profit unit sales versus a mass market blitz into low-cost hybrids and efficient compacts? The Hummer,trucks and other SUVS became the folly that may sink this company in it's present form. The paradigm of workers interests policy over good business strategy never works. It is the same philosophical problem of America's social policy through it's runaway legal system and entitlements that are making manufacturers in America less than competitive worldwide.
Non-competitive legal paradigms and unsustainably expensive social programs will end up following GM's car business.
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Wolfowitz & World Bank: Get Out of Africa
Africa-extremes of poverty and abundance. Poverty, disease and over-population set in lush environments of rain forests, sprawling savannahs with the one of the last remnants of myriad wildlife. Recent evidence by anthropoligists confirm prior data of a migration out of Africa 60,000 years ago. That migration was the founding stock of modern man-no matter the color or race. What caused that migration? Scientists talk about the enablers-walking upright and advances in tools. But not the why. The why is probably the reason people migrate today. People are seeking their own space and want to to determine their own future. There would probably have been no migration , if all of one's desires were at hand in those original locales.
Paul Wolfowitz, the new president of the World Bank and former Pentagon Undersecretary who had a significant hand in the failed Iraq policy, has a plan for Africa. Mr. Wolfowitz's objective is to reduce poverty. To that end he will support and fund projects that include more women's rights, restoring the banks role of building structures like roads,ports and bridges and to act as go-between for other nations with similar objectives.
Say what? Sub-Sahara Africa has about 50 million cases of AIDS,insufficient water supplies and poor soil. Both contribute to malnutrition(50% of childhood deaths). Over population and malnutrition are Africa's biggest problems. But Wolfowitz wants to build infrastructure. Why do the African's need roads? Over 60,000 years ago up until today they have been getting around just fine. They also left Africa 60,000 years ago so they could determine their own future. The new roads will bring the world and certainly end that independence. Africa's highest and best use for all invoved is to be the world's premier game reserve and the suppoting industry should be tourism. Keep it simple. It's natural resources are to be viewed not dug up. It's peoples can understand and support that kind of business.
Wolfowitz was a loser at the Pentagon and will be a loser at World Bank. He is the bag man for global development interests. Africa needs help in reining in population growth and the pandemic AIDS. Low-cost birth control devices and counciling in soil conservation could be a good service funded by World Bank. But of course there is no money in that.
Paul Wolfowitz, the new president of the World Bank and former Pentagon Undersecretary who had a significant hand in the failed Iraq policy, has a plan for Africa. Mr. Wolfowitz's objective is to reduce poverty. To that end he will support and fund projects that include more women's rights, restoring the banks role of building structures like roads,ports and bridges and to act as go-between for other nations with similar objectives.
Say what? Sub-Sahara Africa has about 50 million cases of AIDS,insufficient water supplies and poor soil. Both contribute to malnutrition(50% of childhood deaths). Over population and malnutrition are Africa's biggest problems. But Wolfowitz wants to build infrastructure. Why do the African's need roads? Over 60,000 years ago up until today they have been getting around just fine. They also left Africa 60,000 years ago so they could determine their own future. The new roads will bring the world and certainly end that independence. Africa's highest and best use for all invoved is to be the world's premier game reserve and the suppoting industry should be tourism. Keep it simple. It's natural resources are to be viewed not dug up. It's peoples can understand and support that kind of business.
Wolfowitz was a loser at the Pentagon and will be a loser at World Bank. He is the bag man for global development interests. Africa needs help in reining in population growth and the pandemic AIDS. Low-cost birth control devices and counciling in soil conservation could be a good service funded by World Bank. But of course there is no money in that.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
The Rise of Corporate Militias in America
One of the main criticisms about the handling of the Iraqi war-apart from the fiction of it's necessity- was the number of troops deployed. Architects Cheney and Rumsfeld were adament about 150,000 troops being adequate. Critics asserted that 300,000 should have been the minimum. Was the number of troops held down so that corporate militia personnel could be hired?
Halliburton, Blackwater,Custer Battles and CACI to name a few make up part of the 30,000 contractors in Iraq today( they outnumber the rest of the coalition forces combined). The use of private militias is not new. In the 16th century Queen Elizabeth used privateers against the Spanish. But corporations operating militias is new. In the first Gulf War in 1991, corporate militias/contractors amounted to 1% of the total military force. Kosovo saw the number increase to about 10%. The present war has app. 30% participation by corporate security militias.
Consider these speculations. Recent reports of recruiting shortfalls in Army enlistments bring up questions about the reasons. Pay? Firms like Blackwater pay members of their militias $500-1000 per day. That is 10-20 times the amount regular army members are paid. At that rate of pay, one could retire after 1 or 2 years in corporate militias versus 10 or 20 years on active duty in the army. Reasons for the war? A member of a corporate militia could choose the war to fight according to one's personal political view. Why lose your life over a war you don't agree with or one that can't be won? Are there enough military actions in the world to pick and choose assignments? Last year corporate militias based in 50 countries split up $ 100 billion in fees(2005 US defense budget $500 billion). International security expert Deborah Avant of George Washington Univ. recently wrote about Northrup Grumman buying up small security firms" like mad". She said," this is where they think the future is".
Northrup Grumman and other major defense contractors are in a position to know and make it happen. They interface with the Defense Policy Board in a classified atmosphere which reports directly to Sec. Rumsfeld. They can influence policy objectives and sometimes create policy by pushing their menu of services.
With little prospect of restarting the draft, America's new preemptive war policy will have to get personnel from somewhere. Hey! Why not call up Cheney at Halliburton? He can field a team without any delay or start-up times or pension concerns.
What about Cheney and people like him having control over large corporate militias? When one is power-hungry and a warmonger sooner or later any location for war is good enough-domestic or foreign.
Halliburton, Blackwater,Custer Battles and CACI to name a few make up part of the 30,000 contractors in Iraq today( they outnumber the rest of the coalition forces combined). The use of private militias is not new. In the 16th century Queen Elizabeth used privateers against the Spanish. But corporations operating militias is new. In the first Gulf War in 1991, corporate militias/contractors amounted to 1% of the total military force. Kosovo saw the number increase to about 10%. The present war has app. 30% participation by corporate security militias.
Consider these speculations. Recent reports of recruiting shortfalls in Army enlistments bring up questions about the reasons. Pay? Firms like Blackwater pay members of their militias $500-1000 per day. That is 10-20 times the amount regular army members are paid. At that rate of pay, one could retire after 1 or 2 years in corporate militias versus 10 or 20 years on active duty in the army. Reasons for the war? A member of a corporate militia could choose the war to fight according to one's personal political view. Why lose your life over a war you don't agree with or one that can't be won? Are there enough military actions in the world to pick and choose assignments? Last year corporate militias based in 50 countries split up $ 100 billion in fees(2005 US defense budget $500 billion). International security expert Deborah Avant of George Washington Univ. recently wrote about Northrup Grumman buying up small security firms" like mad". She said," this is where they think the future is".
Northrup Grumman and other major defense contractors are in a position to know and make it happen. They interface with the Defense Policy Board in a classified atmosphere which reports directly to Sec. Rumsfeld. They can influence policy objectives and sometimes create policy by pushing their menu of services.
With little prospect of restarting the draft, America's new preemptive war policy will have to get personnel from somewhere. Hey! Why not call up Cheney at Halliburton? He can field a team without any delay or start-up times or pension concerns.
What about Cheney and people like him having control over large corporate militias? When one is power-hungry and a warmonger sooner or later any location for war is good enough-domestic or foreign.
Saturday, May 28, 2005
Repeal Cranston Amendment
Israel since 1997 receives app. $10 billion per year from the US. That figure makes up about 16% of this years Israeli budget($62 billion). I beleive there is a direct relationship between Israel's arrogance and the amount of American military and monetary support to that country.
How many people know of the Cranston Amendment named for the late Senator Alan Cranston (D-Ca.) in 1983. The amendment reads in part,"It is the policy and the intention of the United States that the funds provided in annual appropriations for Economic Support Funds which are allocated to Israel shall not be less than the amount debt repayments( interest and principal) from Israel to the United States Government in recognition that such principle serves United States interests in the region."
Israel has a blank check from the US. They don't have to repay anything.
The Cranston Amendment should be repealed. Israel should exist under the discipline of it's own unaided budget instead of leveraging U S resources. Then there would be a very real reason for trying to achieve peace.
How many people know of the Cranston Amendment named for the late Senator Alan Cranston (D-Ca.) in 1983. The amendment reads in part,"It is the policy and the intention of the United States that the funds provided in annual appropriations for Economic Support Funds which are allocated to Israel shall not be less than the amount debt repayments( interest and principal) from Israel to the United States Government in recognition that such principle serves United States interests in the region."
Israel has a blank check from the US. They don't have to repay anything.
The Cranston Amendment should be repealed. Israel should exist under the discipline of it's own unaided budget instead of leveraging U S resources. Then there would be a very real reason for trying to achieve peace.
Advisory: Support The Council for the National Interest
This column has from time to time been a vocal critic of America's uneven foreign policy that turns a blind eye to Israeli lawlessness while we condemn the same actions in every other country. AIPAC ( American Israel Public Affairs Committee) has been the go-between in buying off a large part of our Congress. Well I learned yesterday(May 27, 2005) of an organization that I recommend like-minded people to support. I sent them a check for $ 50 and two copies of my latest book " Evangelicals,Zionists & Secular Neocons". The organization is Council for the National Interest( cnionline.org). It is run by former members of Congress and other noteworthy people. Among their many projects, that include getting a handle on all foreign lobbyists influence , they are trying to get a bill introduced called "The Israel Accountability And Security Act".
The thrust of the act is to make Israel obey the laws that everyone else does especially when they are America's biggest receiver of foreign aid($ 10 billion per year since 1997). What Israel does reflects on the US.
Check out their website. It is very easy to know what they are doing and how to get involved. It's time for some answers from our reps in Washinton on how they handle America's best interests when they conflict with AIPAC money and Israel's dreams.
The thrust of the act is to make Israel obey the laws that everyone else does especially when they are America's biggest receiver of foreign aid($ 10 billion per year since 1997). What Israel does reflects on the US.
Check out their website. It is very easy to know what they are doing and how to get involved. It's time for some answers from our reps in Washinton on how they handle America's best interests when they conflict with AIPAC money and Israel's dreams.
Bush Learning Diplomacy:Blinks on Iran
Bush demonstrated that he could learn. That takes him out of the moron classification. I will not call him a moron again. On May 26, 2005, an important step towards solving the nuclear- related problem between Iran and the EU/US was taken.
The World Trade Organization announced the start of formal talks to bring Iran into the WTO. The key was Bush dropping America's veto power that stopped Iran from becoming a member for the past 10 years. The US and the EU rewarded Iran for freezing it's disputed nuclear activity(which it probably was entitled to do). America correctly blinked. Trade is the best peace maker and peace keeper. Why shouldn't the US get some business opportunities from Iran? Countries are like people. If you want something from them, you have to offer something to them.
There is no reason not to normalize relations with Iran. If we can have normal relations with China and Israel, we can have them with anyone.
The World Trade Organization announced the start of formal talks to bring Iran into the WTO. The key was Bush dropping America's veto power that stopped Iran from becoming a member for the past 10 years. The US and the EU rewarded Iran for freezing it's disputed nuclear activity(which it probably was entitled to do). America correctly blinked. Trade is the best peace maker and peace keeper. Why shouldn't the US get some business opportunities from Iran? Countries are like people. If you want something from them, you have to offer something to them.
There is no reason not to normalize relations with Iran. If we can have normal relations with China and Israel, we can have them with anyone.
Friday, May 27, 2005
Baker & Taylor Features " Evangelicals, Zionists & Secular Neocons" in June 2005 Paperclips Trade Magizine
Author: Barry Leonardini
Publisher: Fresh Clean Day Publishing
Book is featured in Politics & Government section of "Paperclips" ( Circulation 41,000)
Publisher: Fresh Clean Day Publishing
Book is featured in Politics & Government section of "Paperclips" ( Circulation 41,000)
Priscilla Owen: Pros And Cons
The Senate confirmed the first of Pres. Bush's beleagured judicial nominees on May 25, 2005. She had been a lightning rod of supercharged debate. It was a classic fire storm of special interests. How can one know- who is not caught up in partisan politics- what makes her good or bad? There were referrals to facts in past cases but by necessity they were brief and taken out of context of other facts.
Here are two discriptions of Judge Owen. One was pro and one was con. Let's examine the arguments.
Professor of Law, Linda Eads at Southern Methodist University described Judge Owen," She represents a part of Texas culture that is basically a frontier mentality. You don't cry about your hardships, you just keep moving forward. It's a very empowering philosophy..."
Well that sounds reasonable.
Senator Charles Schumer, Democrat of New York said, " Someone (Owen) will be put on the bench who puts the rights of employers over employees, who takes no consideration of environmental rights, women's rights or just average people".
Serious allegations that smack of a poor loser. Schumer should remember that part of his constituency are employers who also have basic rights. With respect to predicting that Judge Owen will take no consideration of women's rights is proven untrue by Owen's very existence. I have no knowledge of Judge Owen's record of environmental cases. "Average people" losing out? Judge Owen came from a modest background and worked her way up. She can relate to real people. Of course "average people" in Texas are different from" average people" in Manhattan. The care and feeding of the average New Yorker requires more active redistribution of wealth which if reined in would explain why Schumer feels threatened.
Here are two discriptions of Judge Owen. One was pro and one was con. Let's examine the arguments.
Professor of Law, Linda Eads at Southern Methodist University described Judge Owen," She represents a part of Texas culture that is basically a frontier mentality. You don't cry about your hardships, you just keep moving forward. It's a very empowering philosophy..."
Well that sounds reasonable.
Senator Charles Schumer, Democrat of New York said, " Someone (Owen) will be put on the bench who puts the rights of employers over employees, who takes no consideration of environmental rights, women's rights or just average people".
Serious allegations that smack of a poor loser. Schumer should remember that part of his constituency are employers who also have basic rights. With respect to predicting that Judge Owen will take no consideration of women's rights is proven untrue by Owen's very existence. I have no knowledge of Judge Owen's record of environmental cases. "Average people" losing out? Judge Owen came from a modest background and worked her way up. She can relate to real people. Of course "average people" in Texas are different from" average people" in Manhattan. The care and feeding of the average New Yorker requires more active redistribution of wealth which if reined in would explain why Schumer feels threatened.
Secretary Rice Performs For AIPAC
Did she play the piano? No. She performed according to script or else she wouldn't have been invited.
I thought America had hit bottom when Madeline Albright was Secretary of State ( one of many poor choices) for the Clinton Administration. Ms. Albright would have been better suited as a cosmetics clerk for Macys. But now she rises in my grading- a worse choice has emerged- Condi Rice. Ms Albright was better than Secretary Rice because she knew when to keep her mouth shut ( pun intended).
Ms. Rice made an inflammatory presentation on May 23, 2005 before the annual meeting of AIPAC ( American Israel Public Affairs Committee). It is the most powerful lobby in Washington and represents a FOREIGN government. Ms. Rice, who is supposed to be America's top diplomat, was serving up pandering morsils to the organization that helps run US foreign policy along with the evangelicals-Bush And Rice are members of the Southern Baptist Convention. Condi was dwelling on the late President of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat( Nobel Laureate along with the late Y. Rabin and S.Peres of Israel for their work on the Oslo Accords). She implied that he was the singular obstacle to peace and that the new president of the PA, Mahmoud Abbas had to prove himself before the US would proceed with a two-state solution. Rice said" The Palestinian Authority must advance democratic reforms and it must dismantle all terrorist networks in it's society while Israel must not take any actions that prejudices a final settlement with the PA".
Rice and Israel call them terrorists. The Palestinians call them their militia. The warning to Israel- " must not take any action that prejudices a final settlement with the PA"- what about the 425- mile wall that the US is partly paying for?
The partition of Palestine in 1948 was not ethical. America should stop supporting an inflammatory land development scheme by the Israelis that threatens world peace.
Rice's performance at AIPAC's meeting was a side show akin to a performing poodle while the distructive high-wire act of US foreign policy is shrouded by righteousness.
I thought America had hit bottom when Madeline Albright was Secretary of State ( one of many poor choices) for the Clinton Administration. Ms. Albright would have been better suited as a cosmetics clerk for Macys. But now she rises in my grading- a worse choice has emerged- Condi Rice. Ms Albright was better than Secretary Rice because she knew when to keep her mouth shut ( pun intended).
Ms. Rice made an inflammatory presentation on May 23, 2005 before the annual meeting of AIPAC ( American Israel Public Affairs Committee). It is the most powerful lobby in Washington and represents a FOREIGN government. Ms. Rice, who is supposed to be America's top diplomat, was serving up pandering morsils to the organization that helps run US foreign policy along with the evangelicals-Bush And Rice are members of the Southern Baptist Convention. Condi was dwelling on the late President of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat( Nobel Laureate along with the late Y. Rabin and S.Peres of Israel for their work on the Oslo Accords). She implied that he was the singular obstacle to peace and that the new president of the PA, Mahmoud Abbas had to prove himself before the US would proceed with a two-state solution. Rice said" The Palestinian Authority must advance democratic reforms and it must dismantle all terrorist networks in it's society while Israel must not take any actions that prejudices a final settlement with the PA".
Rice and Israel call them terrorists. The Palestinians call them their militia. The warning to Israel- " must not take any action that prejudices a final settlement with the PA"- what about the 425- mile wall that the US is partly paying for?
The partition of Palestine in 1948 was not ethical. America should stop supporting an inflammatory land development scheme by the Israelis that threatens world peace.
Rice's performance at AIPAC's meeting was a side show akin to a performing poodle while the distructive high-wire act of US foreign policy is shrouded by righteousness.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Pentagon Personnel: Some Should Be Tested For Steriods.
The Air Force has a new plan for space-based weapons that it wants President Bush to O K(an article appeared in the news today as a trial balloon to test reaction). It grew out of Bush's withdrawl from the 30 year old Antiballistic Missle Treaty at the begining of his administration and the failure of 22 years of effort and $ 100 billion spent on a Star Wars Defense. The new gadgets include " Rods From Gods", heavy metal rods hurled at high speed from an orbiting platform; "Eagle", space-based lasers; and traditional missles based in space. I think the reasoning is that since we can't make a missle defense system work we will change to an offensive space system and let others worry about defense. Air Force General Lance Lord said, "Space superiority is not our birthright, but it is our destiny". (Test him for steroids)
What will the rest of the world think of an offensive space-based system? With the new preemptive war policy of the U S this new move is very provocative. The price tag for this new system runs as high $1 trillion over many years.
General Lord's project would not have stopped 9/11 or preclude another such terrorist incident. It will only make the Chinese and Russians more nervous about the evangelicals,zionists and the neocons in America.
Instead of spending $ 1 trillion, the U S should be part of the solution in the Middle East and not the problem and General Lord should drive a hybrid vehicle if he really wants to help.
What will the rest of the world think of an offensive space-based system? With the new preemptive war policy of the U S this new move is very provocative. The price tag for this new system runs as high $1 trillion over many years.
General Lord's project would not have stopped 9/11 or preclude another such terrorist incident. It will only make the Chinese and Russians more nervous about the evangelicals,zionists and the neocons in America.
Instead of spending $ 1 trillion, the U S should be part of the solution in the Middle East and not the problem and General Lord should drive a hybrid vehicle if he really wants to help.
Gates Foundation Vaccinations: Partial Solution & Partial Problem
The Bill And Melinda Gates Foundation has committed $ 5.6 billion for global health programs since 1995. The larger amounts have gone for vaccinations. Recently they added an additional $ 250 million for research to eliminate malaria and genetically alter insects that carry disease.
Bill Gates said," Some point to the better health in the developed world and say that the only sure way to improve health is to end poverty. We have a different view. The world didn't have to eliminate poverty in order to eliminate smallpox and we don't have to reduce poverty before we reduce milaria".
Has Mr. Gates got it backwards? Could health care contribute to poverty? Can increases in population in an overcrowded area work against good intentions? Yes they can.
Recently the continuing project called the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, funded by a $ 24 million U N grant issued a report based on the research of 1300 ecologists from 95 countries. The results indicated a large part of planet degradation ( loss of life-supporting capabilities) was attributed to human causes. This included deforestation, over-fishing, water contamination and over-population. The report cited sub-Sahara Africa as a prime example-" dry-land ecosystem". Approximately 2 billion people live in a "dry-land ecosystem". The Sudan is one of those areas. A lack of water, poor soil and over-population have contributed to malnutrition( cause of 50% of childhood deaths),disease and recently a civil war. The war is more about crowded living and lack of resources than a religious conflict.
The well-meaning Gates Foundation may exacerbate the overall problem in it's pursuit of vaccinations without including a long term plan to help secure a sustainable future. The vaccinations and health care have indeed helped the needy Sudanese to survive. But where will the survivors get additional water and food to enjoy a quality of life that is sustainable?
Mr Gates should instruct his foundation to model it's philanthropic help on a basic computer set up. The Sudanese lack the natural resources ( operating system) to support future growth in population. Vaccinations ( anti-virus software) while relative to an immediate problem sets up larger challenges of survivors later. The Sudanese need a comprehensive consultation ( help desk) in land conservation, water recovery and most importantly birth control.
Bill Gates said," Some point to the better health in the developed world and say that the only sure way to improve health is to end poverty. We have a different view. The world didn't have to eliminate poverty in order to eliminate smallpox and we don't have to reduce poverty before we reduce milaria".
Has Mr. Gates got it backwards? Could health care contribute to poverty? Can increases in population in an overcrowded area work against good intentions? Yes they can.
Recently the continuing project called the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, funded by a $ 24 million U N grant issued a report based on the research of 1300 ecologists from 95 countries. The results indicated a large part of planet degradation ( loss of life-supporting capabilities) was attributed to human causes. This included deforestation, over-fishing, water contamination and over-population. The report cited sub-Sahara Africa as a prime example-" dry-land ecosystem". Approximately 2 billion people live in a "dry-land ecosystem". The Sudan is one of those areas. A lack of water, poor soil and over-population have contributed to malnutrition( cause of 50% of childhood deaths),disease and recently a civil war. The war is more about crowded living and lack of resources than a religious conflict.
The well-meaning Gates Foundation may exacerbate the overall problem in it's pursuit of vaccinations without including a long term plan to help secure a sustainable future. The vaccinations and health care have indeed helped the needy Sudanese to survive. But where will the survivors get additional water and food to enjoy a quality of life that is sustainable?
Mr Gates should instruct his foundation to model it's philanthropic help on a basic computer set up. The Sudanese lack the natural resources ( operating system) to support future growth in population. Vaccinations ( anti-virus software) while relative to an immediate problem sets up larger challenges of survivors later. The Sudanese need a comprehensive consultation ( help desk) in land conservation, water recovery and most importantly birth control.
Monday, May 16, 2005
Rice Wants Affirmative Action In Iraq
A large part of the essence of comedy and wit has to do with revealing the truth. Also, solving complex problems brings relief and a smile.
Which brings me to America's own "poodle",Secretary of State Rice. She was on a whirlwind tour of Iraq over the weekend ( May 13-15) snapping and growling at everyone's heels about the " need" for affirmative action when it comes to bringing the Sunnis into Iraq's new government. The Sunnis used to run Iraq through Saddam Hussein and his Baathist's politcal party (What happened to him? Rumsfeld ,Cheney and others are dreading testimony in a public trial). But the morons who planned the Iraq invasion wanted a de-Baathification of the government and security forces which explains the chaos in Iraq today and a dearth of Sunnis in the government. Condi has great faith in affirmative action. After all how would someone with a massive amount of navete like her get where she got to. While were there, " Bring'em on"Bush is an affirmative action employee also due to his well-oiled connections.
Conservative Shiites and Kurds, who live in a modified ancient culture don't understand affirmative action. A lot more money will have to be spent by the U S "educating" and or "buying off" Kurds and Shiites to bring in the Sunnis. But that is still no guarentee that the broader population will respect a foreign- bought government.
Fun? No. Entertaining? No. Dark comedy? Yes.
Which brings me to America's own "poodle",Secretary of State Rice. She was on a whirlwind tour of Iraq over the weekend ( May 13-15) snapping and growling at everyone's heels about the " need" for affirmative action when it comes to bringing the Sunnis into Iraq's new government. The Sunnis used to run Iraq through Saddam Hussein and his Baathist's politcal party (What happened to him? Rumsfeld ,Cheney and others are dreading testimony in a public trial). But the morons who planned the Iraq invasion wanted a de-Baathification of the government and security forces which explains the chaos in Iraq today and a dearth of Sunnis in the government. Condi has great faith in affirmative action. After all how would someone with a massive amount of navete like her get where she got to. While were there, " Bring'em on"Bush is an affirmative action employee also due to his well-oiled connections.
Conservative Shiites and Kurds, who live in a modified ancient culture don't understand affirmative action. A lot more money will have to be spent by the U S "educating" and or "buying off" Kurds and Shiites to bring in the Sunnis. But that is still no guarentee that the broader population will respect a foreign- bought government.
Fun? No. Entertaining? No. Dark comedy? Yes.
Cheney's Machismo and U S Vulnerability
Military principles of war warn of an exposed flank and by implication the danger of two or more theaters of war.
The Bush administration lists as areas of concern: Iraq, Iran, N. Korea, Syria, terrorists anywhere,policies of Russia, policies of China and in general non-christian philosophies. Misjudging America's ability to combat the foreign policy areas could lead to significant losses of U S prestige at best and loss of many lives at worse. How many fronts does an administration need?No administration has come close in comparison.
Vice President Cheney runs foreign policy. This dyspeptic old man has an inverse relationship with his aging and a need to demonstrate his "machismo". His boy ,Bush, can't stand up to him. The latest saber rattling occured on May 15,2005, when National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley (Cheney's pick) warned N. Korea about a nuclear test. The key to N Korea is China and S. Korea. Both do business with N. Korea. Nothing will happen to N. Korea that China does not want to happen including U N sanctions. In a very real way N. Korea could be China's ally against the west if push comes to shove. It was the Clinton administration that provided N Korea the nuclear reactor in question now. We also provided Iran with their reactor during the Ford Administration. President Ford's Secretary of Defense was Rumsfeld and his deputies were Dick Cheney and Paul Wolfowitz!
We have traded with those countries before- we can again.
The Bush administration lists as areas of concern: Iraq, Iran, N. Korea, Syria, terrorists anywhere,policies of Russia, policies of China and in general non-christian philosophies. Misjudging America's ability to combat the foreign policy areas could lead to significant losses of U S prestige at best and loss of many lives at worse. How many fronts does an administration need?No administration has come close in comparison.
Vice President Cheney runs foreign policy. This dyspeptic old man has an inverse relationship with his aging and a need to demonstrate his "machismo". His boy ,Bush, can't stand up to him. The latest saber rattling occured on May 15,2005, when National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley (Cheney's pick) warned N. Korea about a nuclear test. The key to N Korea is China and S. Korea. Both do business with N. Korea. Nothing will happen to N. Korea that China does not want to happen including U N sanctions. In a very real way N. Korea could be China's ally against the west if push comes to shove. It was the Clinton administration that provided N Korea the nuclear reactor in question now. We also provided Iran with their reactor during the Ford Administration. President Ford's Secretary of Defense was Rumsfeld and his deputies were Dick Cheney and Paul Wolfowitz!
We have traded with those countries before- we can again.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Boycott Israel: Best Hope For Peace
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is visiting President Bush on May 26. His goal is to get some straight answers about how serious U S support is for a Palestinian state. Recent actions in Congress have sent a worrisome mesage. Bush asked Congress for $ 350 million for the Palestinian Authority ( Israel receives $ 10 billion per year from U S ). Congress responded by allowing $ 200 million but of that $ 150 million would go to charities for dispersal and $ 50 million would be diverted to an Israeli construction project in the occupied territories. AIPAC ( American Israel Public Affairs Committee) the Israeli superlobby put swing to it's bat and Presto! A U S gesture ( albeit tiny ) of support was turned into a slap of scorn. Mr. Abbas has gone more than half way in reining in Hamas and other factions by persuading them to become part of the political process. But Israel wants those factions to disarm unilaterally. Not likely. Would anyone disarm who is a neighbor of Israel? Israel has also cut back by half a return of prisoners and transfer of security to the Palestinians as they promised. Also the Gaza pullout has been delayed by three weeks because of a transparent lie concernig an overlooked Jewish holyday. That will be the day. A Gaza pullout has been losing support in recent Israeli polls and the Sharon government has been deftly letting it die by prolonging the process.
This is not in the best U S interests. Once again the politics of Israel eclipses American long term security. Truly the average Israeli must think the average American dumb for this upside down political dynamic. There are ways to change that perception. Individuals in America should protest the Israeli obstructionist peace moves by boycotting Israeli products. Also our congressional representatives should be told to stop taking AIPAC money. These actions will be effective as the boycott of South Africa.
Recent examples of an Israeli boycott include the World Council of Churches. It is an ecumenical group of 347 Protestant and Orthdox denominations. In February 2005, the group recommended to it's members " to give serious cosideration to devestment of companies that aid Israel in the occupied territories". The Presbyterian Church of the U S A started that divestment movement in 2004.
In late April 2005, a resolution of boycott was passed by Britain's Association of University Teachers. The immediate target would be to bar British educators of this union from collaborating with Israel's Haifa University and Bar-Ilam University.
It is time for local people and groups to solve national problems.
This is not in the best U S interests. Once again the politics of Israel eclipses American long term security. Truly the average Israeli must think the average American dumb for this upside down political dynamic. There are ways to change that perception. Individuals in America should protest the Israeli obstructionist peace moves by boycotting Israeli products. Also our congressional representatives should be told to stop taking AIPAC money. These actions will be effective as the boycott of South Africa.
Recent examples of an Israeli boycott include the World Council of Churches. It is an ecumenical group of 347 Protestant and Orthdox denominations. In February 2005, the group recommended to it's members " to give serious cosideration to devestment of companies that aid Israel in the occupied territories". The Presbyterian Church of the U S A started that divestment movement in 2004.
In late April 2005, a resolution of boycott was passed by Britain's Association of University Teachers. The immediate target would be to bar British educators of this union from collaborating with Israel's Haifa University and Bar-Ilam University.
It is time for local people and groups to solve national problems.
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Kyoto Accords Has U S Grass Roots Support
In February 2005, the Kyoto Accords was ratified by 141 countries. America did not sign the agreement. The Accords specify that the countries reduce heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions to levels 7% below those of 1990 by 2012.
President Bush declined to sign because of a possible job loss of 5 million and a rise in energy costs. Well we got the energy rise anyway because of not seeking an alternative to oil which Kyoto encourages. Job losses? Indeed we lost the opportunity to create millions of jobs in pursuing cutting edge research and products to implement those protocols.
Fortunately local politicians throughout America are not as dense as "What me Worry?" Bush. Mayor Greg Nickels of Seattle, Wa. has led a national campaign to follow the Kyoto directives. He has been joined by 130 mayors ( republicans & democrats) in 35 states which includes 30 million residents. From adopting hybrid transit systems, wind power, reduction of diesel emmisions by catalytic convertors, reduced idling of ships and trucks and simply raising the issues and making it public policy are all positive steps.
Relevance. One word that is key to a politicians's future. Our national government has lost relevance to a lot of us. Whether it be policies of education, foreign policy objectives, immigration, and cost of government. Local and state goals should take the lead.
Local solutions stop national problems.
President Bush declined to sign because of a possible job loss of 5 million and a rise in energy costs. Well we got the energy rise anyway because of not seeking an alternative to oil which Kyoto encourages. Job losses? Indeed we lost the opportunity to create millions of jobs in pursuing cutting edge research and products to implement those protocols.
Fortunately local politicians throughout America are not as dense as "What me Worry?" Bush. Mayor Greg Nickels of Seattle, Wa. has led a national campaign to follow the Kyoto directives. He has been joined by 130 mayors ( republicans & democrats) in 35 states which includes 30 million residents. From adopting hybrid transit systems, wind power, reduction of diesel emmisions by catalytic convertors, reduced idling of ships and trucks and simply raising the issues and making it public policy are all positive steps.
Relevance. One word that is key to a politicians's future. Our national government has lost relevance to a lot of us. Whether it be policies of education, foreign policy objectives, immigration, and cost of government. Local and state goals should take the lead.
Local solutions stop national problems.
Friday, May 13, 2005
Base Closure:American Security Jeopardized
Why is Secretary Rumsfeld in a hurry to close military bases in America? B.R.A.C. (Base Realignment and Closure Commission) will present to President Bush by September 8, 2005 it's recommendations concerning the cuts in military bases in the U S. Rumsfeld suggested list closures specifies at least 30 bases to be closed out of 425 . He claims the pentagon needs the money and it would streamline the logistics of armed services personnel. Has he been right yet?
Local communities are dreading the closures because of job loss and reduced cash flow to their communities. Rumsfeld says that $ 49 billion will be saved over a 20 year period-approximately $2. 5 billion per year. That is a small amount of money compared to the $600 billion defense budget for this year alone. Is it better to open bases in Iraq and obscure locales around the Middle East ? We spend too much on those projects with the likes of Halliburton and other rogue out-sourcing companies. Also we are only throwing good money after bad in the further pursuit of a failed foreign policy in that region. We give Israel $ 10 billion a year. Why not cut them back by half in favor of a truly worthwhile cause?
Of equal importance is the goal of having a strong militia defense. This would include an adequate logistics of bases in the U S. America won it's Revolutionary War with a militia. We lost to militias in Viet Nam. We are losing to militias in Afghanistan and Iraq. Militias are the best defense for an invasion.
Local communities are dreading the closures because of job loss and reduced cash flow to their communities. Rumsfeld says that $ 49 billion will be saved over a 20 year period-approximately $2. 5 billion per year. That is a small amount of money compared to the $600 billion defense budget for this year alone. Is it better to open bases in Iraq and obscure locales around the Middle East ? We spend too much on those projects with the likes of Halliburton and other rogue out-sourcing companies. Also we are only throwing good money after bad in the further pursuit of a failed foreign policy in that region. We give Israel $ 10 billion a year. Why not cut them back by half in favor of a truly worthwhile cause?
Of equal importance is the goal of having a strong militia defense. This would include an adequate logistics of bases in the U S. America won it's Revolutionary War with a militia. We lost to militias in Viet Nam. We are losing to militias in Afghanistan and Iraq. Militias are the best defense for an invasion.
Volunteer Army Coming Up Short
Someone in the 1960's asked," Suppose they gave a war and nobody came? Forty- plus years later we may find out the answer to that valid question. In the 60's, the U S had a draft. If one didn't show up, the military police would go pick'em up. But with the all volunteer army of today, enlistments are drying up. Major Gen. Michael Rochelle who is the Army's top recruiter recently announced some bleak statistics. Normally at this time of the recruiting cycle for 2006 35% of the goal would be met. But now the goal is only 10% met. The results for 2005 goal of 80,000 new recruits has only produced about 36,000 so far-"normal times" would have shown a number closer to 65,000 at his time. Both of these totals are ominous.
Prospective recruits have become aware of the futile wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Little or no justification for the wars and the resulting civil wars in both countries have U S troops as targets and/or caught in the middle. Why would someone who understood those facts sign up?
Congress recently passed an increase in death benefits to $100,000 from $12,500 for a military loss of life.What a cynical government ploy. The only jobs to be had in Iraq with a 70% unemployment rate is with the security forces. America will pay for hired guns at the expense of infrastructure projects. But in America ther are other choices of jobs. Prospective recruits for the armed services should wait for a better foreign policy to defend.
Prospective recruits have become aware of the futile wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Little or no justification for the wars and the resulting civil wars in both countries have U S troops as targets and/or caught in the middle. Why would someone who understood those facts sign up?
Congress recently passed an increase in death benefits to $100,000 from $12,500 for a military loss of life.What a cynical government ploy. The only jobs to be had in Iraq with a 70% unemployment rate is with the security forces. America will pay for hired guns at the expense of infrastructure projects. But in America ther are other choices of jobs. Prospective recruits for the armed services should wait for a better foreign policy to defend.
Afghanistan Springs Loose From" Arab Spring"
May 12, 2005- Anti-American demonstrations spread into 10 of 34 Afghan provinces-four more deaths in the third day of protests. Now students are at the forefront of the rebellion against U S occupation and the puppet government of President Karzai. Sounds like Viet Nam. The catalyst was a report carried by Newsweek of a desecration of the Koran by interrogators at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The lingering memories of Iraq's Abu Ghraib scandal led Afghanis to believe the story. Particularly since Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld was still in office. He is the rightful target of blame by both Americans and the Afghanis for those abuses of prisoners.
What happened to the " Arab Spring"? Reporters from the "New York Times",David Brooks and Thomas L. Friedman; free-wheeling columnist Charles Krauthammer; and Jeff Jacoby of the "Boston Globe" and other copy boys that listen to William Kristol of The Project for the New American Century have all promised that just one more redrawing of the Middle Eastern map would change everything for the better.
That gaggle of geese will not pay attention to the facts of an Afghanistan and Iraq civil war until the facts change. Maybe they should hold their breath till those facts get better.
What happened to the " Arab Spring"? Reporters from the "New York Times",David Brooks and Thomas L. Friedman; free-wheeling columnist Charles Krauthammer; and Jeff Jacoby of the "Boston Globe" and other copy boys that listen to William Kristol of The Project for the New American Century have all promised that just one more redrawing of the Middle Eastern map would change everything for the better.
That gaggle of geese will not pay attention to the facts of an Afghanistan and Iraq civil war until the facts change. Maybe they should hold their breath till those facts get better.
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Lockheed Martin And Politicians in Conspiracy
Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld reversed his own decision to terminate Lockheed Martin's C-130J Hercules transport aircraft. The plane has continued to fail minimum performance tests. It is unable to drop troops or equipment into hostile zones. It also does not operate well in poor weather or as part of search and rescue missions. This is according to Pentagon inspectors. This plane would fail our troops. Evidently that is not enough cause for termination of the contract. When Rumsfeld notified Lockheed Martin of his intention to terminate, the company went into a vigorous defense. It fired back a letter informing Rumsfeld of a little known provision in the contract. It turns out to complete the production of the aircraft it would cost the government(U S taxpayers and soldiers too) $2 billion. But if the contract were terminated it would cost $ 1 billion in cancellation fees.
Also the company notified representatives of various states where the plane is made. Governor Sonny Perdue of Georgia sent a letter to President Bush protesting the cancellation. The letter was also signed by 24 senators both republicans and democrats from the effected states.
In the end, loss of jobs, loss of profits to Lockheed Martin won the day over a plane that cannot perform it's mission and may jeopardize our troops.
Remember Rumsfeld's rude response to a National Guardsman in Iraq a few months ago when the guardsman asked, " Why the Humvees weren't armored adequately?" Rumsfeld fired back, " You go to war with the army you have."
Rumsfeld and the other politicians should be included in any further test flights of the C-130J Hercules.
Also the company notified representatives of various states where the plane is made. Governor Sonny Perdue of Georgia sent a letter to President Bush protesting the cancellation. The letter was also signed by 24 senators both republicans and democrats from the effected states.
In the end, loss of jobs, loss of profits to Lockheed Martin won the day over a plane that cannot perform it's mission and may jeopardize our troops.
Remember Rumsfeld's rude response to a National Guardsman in Iraq a few months ago when the guardsman asked, " Why the Humvees weren't armored adequately?" Rumsfeld fired back, " You go to war with the army you have."
Rumsfeld and the other politicians should be included in any further test flights of the C-130J Hercules.
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Sick Illegals Need Only Apply
On May 9, 2005 the Bush Administration issued an executive order to effectively validate entitlements to illegals and by exstension increase the attraction of gratuitous U S emergency room treatment-Vicente Fox, president of Mexico, must be smiling. One billion dollars of perscription drug benefit money was diverted to reimburse states who have medical bills attributed to illegal immigrants. Senator Jon Kyl-R,AZ welcomed the move. But if he thought about it, the implications of an expansion of srevice will only exacerbate the migration. The new program carries no mandate for INS enforcement action. In fact it specifically states," In no circumstance are hospitals required to ask people about their citizenship status." This according to Dr Mark McClellan who is administrator of Medicare and Medicaid. Truly this is free.
What about the significant amount of Americans being kept poor because of medical insurance? In 2004, health care expenditures of consumers amounted to 17% of income versus 17.9% for food and clothing. And George"What Me Worry" Bush is giving health care away to non-citizens. One wonders why there are more U S guards on the Iraq/Syria border than the US/Mexico border? Because Bush and his special interests want the cheap workers . How many Mexicans come to the U S just for the health care? When will malpractice suits on their behalf be a new scam for our rodent-class attorneys?
What about the significant amount of Americans being kept poor because of medical insurance? In 2004, health care expenditures of consumers amounted to 17% of income versus 17.9% for food and clothing. And George"What Me Worry" Bush is giving health care away to non-citizens. One wonders why there are more U S guards on the Iraq/Syria border than the US/Mexico border? Because Bush and his special interests want the cheap workers . How many Mexicans come to the U S just for the health care? When will malpractice suits on their behalf be a new scam for our rodent-class attorneys?
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Mad Magazine & Dubya: What Me Worry?
In my adolescent years I never missed buying the latest "Mad" magizine.It depicted lampoons of American culture without par. The caricatures were were truly bombastic and left me gasping from laughter. In retrospect" Mad" hinted at the 1960's revolution which followed. There was also a darkness in the humor of "Mad"-hence the name.
"The Nation" magizine , which is the oldest continually published mag in the U S advertises a poster of Geo. W. Bush only very slightly touched-up to resemble "Mad's" signature character- Alfred E. Neuman("What me Worry?"). At the bottom of the picture appears " Because he doesn't read"(refering to Dubya).
Mad with or without the quote marks is an apt description of the course America has embarked upon with preemptive war in Iraq.This has s turned into a civil war and also Afghanistan's civil war over the drug trade started by U S and British mission creep policies. Bush continues to make boorish and inflammatory comments about policies in Russia and China. If America had an absence of guilt, the criticisms would have a better chance of being heeded. Preemptive war in Iraq and plans to redraw the the map of the Middle East- yet again- leaves the U S a large credibility gap. China helps keep our domestic economy running by providing work at wages that the American entittlement structure won't allow. Russia has large resrves of natural resources that we should have access. The present regime is infinitly better than Lenin's legacy of Stalin and the late Soviet Union.
Iran would appear to be following the letter of the Non-Proliferation Treaty Laws of which it is a signatory. Bush fails to mention Israel's 200 nuclear warheads and an American delivery system(Israel is not a signatory to the Non- Proliferation Treaty). N. Korea should be a multilateral project that needs the good will of China and Russia to make it successful.
Laura Bush, the president's wife recently gave a speech which included her now predictable reference to Dubya's early evening retirement " in bed by nine." What is she trying to convey? The job is too much for him? This is not the man she married? He has a clear conscience? Mrs. Bush, I think is probably more worried than I.
"The Nation" magizine , which is the oldest continually published mag in the U S advertises a poster of Geo. W. Bush only very slightly touched-up to resemble "Mad's" signature character- Alfred E. Neuman("What me Worry?"). At the bottom of the picture appears " Because he doesn't read"(refering to Dubya).
Mad with or without the quote marks is an apt description of the course America has embarked upon with preemptive war in Iraq.This has s turned into a civil war and also Afghanistan's civil war over the drug trade started by U S and British mission creep policies. Bush continues to make boorish and inflammatory comments about policies in Russia and China. If America had an absence of guilt, the criticisms would have a better chance of being heeded. Preemptive war in Iraq and plans to redraw the the map of the Middle East- yet again- leaves the U S a large credibility gap. China helps keep our domestic economy running by providing work at wages that the American entittlement structure won't allow. Russia has large resrves of natural resources that we should have access. The present regime is infinitly better than Lenin's legacy of Stalin and the late Soviet Union.
Iran would appear to be following the letter of the Non-Proliferation Treaty Laws of which it is a signatory. Bush fails to mention Israel's 200 nuclear warheads and an American delivery system(Israel is not a signatory to the Non- Proliferation Treaty). N. Korea should be a multilateral project that needs the good will of China and Russia to make it successful.
Laura Bush, the president's wife recently gave a speech which included her now predictable reference to Dubya's early evening retirement " in bed by nine." What is she trying to convey? The job is too much for him? This is not the man she married? He has a clear conscience? Mrs. Bush, I think is probably more worried than I.
Friday, May 06, 2005
Israel: Got Culture ?
Israel is very much in the news lately involving American interests in a negative way.
Lawrence Franklin on May 4, 2005 was arrested by Federal agents for passing top secret intelligence to two AIPAC ( American Israel Public Affairs Committee) opertives. The opertives are being investigated for passing the information about Iraq/Iran intelligence and policy options to Israel. Franklin worked with team Wolfowitz and other Zionists in the Pentagon like Douglas Feith who has been cited by Senator Carl Levin's Senate Select Committee for a "continuing deception of Congress" as related to doctored Iraq information concerning WMD/Al Qaeda . This contributed to Bush's rush to war arguments.
On May 1, 2005 Turkey's Prime Minister Erodogan visted Israel and what remains of historic Palestine. Among gestures of peace making, he was considering a $ 400 million upgrade on 30 Turkish F-4 Phantoms. The F-4 Phantom is an American fighter. Why is Israel getting the contract? Because AIPAC has over the years appropriated American military business and American jobs through it's legal underworld of influence on our money-addicted politicians. Israel is an alternative manufacturing and parts supplier of American products. A truly low form of outsourcing-legislated job loss.
And then there is talk about the logic of the Cranston Amendment in these hard times of huge Federal deficits. The Cranston Amendment was named for the late Alan Cranston,D.-Ca. It was
started in 1983. The Cranston Amendment reads in part " It is the policy and the intention of the United States that the funds provided in annual appropriations for the Economic Support Funds which are allocated to Israel shall not be less than the annual debt repayment ( interest and principal) from Israel to the United States Government in recognition that such principle serves United States interests in the region." Israel has a blank check that does not have to be repaid to the U S . Since 1997 aid in all forms to Israel, including cash grants and U S Tax Code deductable contributions to that country ( no other country has that perq) have been running about $10 billion per year.
Israel takes our money, steals our intelligence, takes U S jobs when it upgrades our manufactured planes and what does the U S get in return?
Israel has a cultural deficit. Culture comes from the land. Israel has always had a problem finding a homeland.
Lawrence Franklin on May 4, 2005 was arrested by Federal agents for passing top secret intelligence to two AIPAC ( American Israel Public Affairs Committee) opertives. The opertives are being investigated for passing the information about Iraq/Iran intelligence and policy options to Israel. Franklin worked with team Wolfowitz and other Zionists in the Pentagon like Douglas Feith who has been cited by Senator Carl Levin's Senate Select Committee for a "continuing deception of Congress" as related to doctored Iraq information concerning WMD/Al Qaeda . This contributed to Bush's rush to war arguments.
On May 1, 2005 Turkey's Prime Minister Erodogan visted Israel and what remains of historic Palestine. Among gestures of peace making, he was considering a $ 400 million upgrade on 30 Turkish F-4 Phantoms. The F-4 Phantom is an American fighter. Why is Israel getting the contract? Because AIPAC has over the years appropriated American military business and American jobs through it's legal underworld of influence on our money-addicted politicians. Israel is an alternative manufacturing and parts supplier of American products. A truly low form of outsourcing-legislated job loss.
And then there is talk about the logic of the Cranston Amendment in these hard times of huge Federal deficits. The Cranston Amendment was named for the late Alan Cranston,D.-Ca. It was
started in 1983. The Cranston Amendment reads in part " It is the policy and the intention of the United States that the funds provided in annual appropriations for the Economic Support Funds which are allocated to Israel shall not be less than the annual debt repayment ( interest and principal) from Israel to the United States Government in recognition that such principle serves United States interests in the region." Israel has a blank check that does not have to be repaid to the U S . Since 1997 aid in all forms to Israel, including cash grants and U S Tax Code deductable contributions to that country ( no other country has that perq) have been running about $10 billion per year.
Israel takes our money, steals our intelligence, takes U S jobs when it upgrades our manufactured planes and what does the U S get in return?
Israel has a cultural deficit. Culture comes from the land. Israel has always had a problem finding a homeland.
Intelligent Design: Education on Trial in Topeka, Kansas-Again
In 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas put the question of codified segregation on trial. Board of Education lost that trial and the rest is history.
Yesterday, May 5, 2005, eighty years after the Scopes Monkey Trial in Dayton, Tennessee the Kansas State Board of Education met in Topeka, Kansas to revisit that evolution vs. creation question. What is before the board, which has a majority of "intelligent design" and "creationist"proponents, is the proposed change in the new science standards that are to be taught in Kansas schools. Specifically, the change would be the definition of science(no small challenge). The new standards would define scientific discovery and discipline with a shift to " instead of seeking natural explanations for what we observe around us, the new standards would describe a continuing investigation that uses observation, hypothesis, testing, measurement, experimentation, LOGICAL ARGUMENT AND THEORY BUILDING TO MORE ADEQUATE EXPLANATIONS OF NATURAL PHENOMENON." ( my emphasis) In other words disregard the facts unless they can be rhetorically reverse-engineered into an intelligent design or creationist model.
This is certainly not science and is shakey religious priinciple at best.
Kansas has always been part of the Bible Belt. There is nothing in the water that makes Topeka an uneducatable challenge. Some Kansans reads the Bible but it would seem little else with as much credulity. That is why things have not changed in past eighty years.
I have one question and one observation. What is the purpose of intelligent design?
My observation of recorded history proves only one thing-anything can happen. This disproves an intelligent design in favor of an ambivalent design as long as the entity can adapt which makes a better argument for evolution.
Yesterday, May 5, 2005, eighty years after the Scopes Monkey Trial in Dayton, Tennessee the Kansas State Board of Education met in Topeka, Kansas to revisit that evolution vs. creation question. What is before the board, which has a majority of "intelligent design" and "creationist"proponents, is the proposed change in the new science standards that are to be taught in Kansas schools. Specifically, the change would be the definition of science(no small challenge). The new standards would define scientific discovery and discipline with a shift to " instead of seeking natural explanations for what we observe around us, the new standards would describe a continuing investigation that uses observation, hypothesis, testing, measurement, experimentation, LOGICAL ARGUMENT AND THEORY BUILDING TO MORE ADEQUATE EXPLANATIONS OF NATURAL PHENOMENON." ( my emphasis) In other words disregard the facts unless they can be rhetorically reverse-engineered into an intelligent design or creationist model.
This is certainly not science and is shakey religious priinciple at best.
Kansas has always been part of the Bible Belt. There is nothing in the water that makes Topeka an uneducatable challenge. Some Kansans reads the Bible but it would seem little else with as much credulity. That is why things have not changed in past eighty years.
I have one question and one observation. What is the purpose of intelligent design?
My observation of recorded history proves only one thing-anything can happen. This disproves an intelligent design in favor of an ambivalent design as long as the entity can adapt which makes a better argument for evolution.
Monday, May 02, 2005
Iraq Civil War
A Chinese proverb instructs that the beginning of wisdom starts by calling things by their proper name.
America is in the middle of a civil war of it's own making. The Shiites are exploiting the naive Bush/Cheney/Wolfowitz policy of introducing democracy into the Middle East as a battering ram to avenge their 1,400 year religious struggle with the Sunnis. In 656 A.D. Mohammods grandson Hussein was beheaded by Sunnis who set up another succesion line of Islam. This change in power will have far reaching effects. In the Middle East 18 of 21 countries are dominated by Sunni governments. With restive Shiites in those countries witnessing the Iraqi change in favor of the Shiites more upheaval may soon follow.
America has become a cat's paw for Shiite political gains. Any government they will control will certainly be theocratic and anti- Sunni. No matter who wins the civil war which won't end anytime soon, America will be kicked out and a theocratic government will be set up.
America will have nothing to show for it's loss of lives and the hundreds of billions it has and will spend.
America is in the middle of a civil war of it's own making. The Shiites are exploiting the naive Bush/Cheney/Wolfowitz policy of introducing democracy into the Middle East as a battering ram to avenge their 1,400 year religious struggle with the Sunnis. In 656 A.D. Mohammods grandson Hussein was beheaded by Sunnis who set up another succesion line of Islam. This change in power will have far reaching effects. In the Middle East 18 of 21 countries are dominated by Sunni governments. With restive Shiites in those countries witnessing the Iraqi change in favor of the Shiites more upheaval may soon follow.
America has become a cat's paw for Shiite political gains. Any government they will control will certainly be theocratic and anti- Sunni. No matter who wins the civil war which won't end anytime soon, America will be kicked out and a theocratic government will be set up.
America will have nothing to show for it's loss of lives and the hundreds of billions it has and will spend.
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Survival: Low Cost Adaptive Behavior
Governor Jeb Bush of Florida signed into law an expansion of self defense on April 26, 2005. The " stand your ground" bill in Florida allows people to use guns OR other deadly force to defend themselves in public places without first trying to escape. The legislature codified what many courts in the state have already ruled. The self defense legal paradigm now includes public places along with residences.
During the past month a new approach to border security was launched in Arizona. It has been effective. The volunteers reported illegal border crossings to the U S border Patrol-335 arrests were made. The Arizona group has plans for a California roll out in October 1, 2005.
When government cannot provide vital services, people have a right to take matters into their own hands. That is the unspoken law that supercedes all codes. Power flows from the governed. It would seem that evolution has again demonstrated in Florida and in Arizona that low cost adaptive behavior is the surviving philosophy.
During the past month a new approach to border security was launched in Arizona. It has been effective. The volunteers reported illegal border crossings to the U S border Patrol-335 arrests were made. The Arizona group has plans for a California roll out in October 1, 2005.
When government cannot provide vital services, people have a right to take matters into their own hands. That is the unspoken law that supercedes all codes. Power flows from the governed. It would seem that evolution has again demonstrated in Florida and in Arizona that low cost adaptive behavior is the surviving philosophy.
Putin in Palestine
Russia's President Putin visited parts of historic Palestine on April 29, 2005. He gave 2 helicopters to the Palestinian Authority and offered 50 armored vehicles which was supported by the senior American military official in the region Lt. Gen. Wm. Ward. But Israel objected to the armored vehicles so they could not be accepted by the P A . Mr. Putin candidly pointed out that the P A could do a better security job if they had a qualitative edge in equipment. This logic was lost on the Israelis who prefer the status quo so they won't have to address the " right of return" issue of those 5 million Palestinian refugees that they displaced. Those people are living in camps in dire conditions. Peace for Israel would involve a catastrophic redistribution of land that would make the Gaza pullout look insignificant. The Palestinians are correct to believe that after Gaza nothing will happen.
Yet, President Putin brings to the Palestinians a new voice that is more constructive to their plight. He should be joined by others in exposing the true obstacle to peace-Israel.
Yet, President Putin brings to the Palestinians a new voice that is more constructive to their plight. He should be joined by others in exposing the true obstacle to peace-Israel.
Friday, April 29, 2005
Minutemen Save Us ! Mexico by Land ,Africa by Sea.
Gov. Schwarzenegger broke with President Bush in supporting private individuals securing borders in Arizona and California in the future. Grey Deacon, head of the Minutemen in Arizona plans a California roll out on October 1, 2005.
Recent figures in California support unconventional responses to this invasion from Mexico. In Southern California a $ 1.2 billion deficit is sinking the Los Angeles County Health Department. Last year LA County spent $ 340 million to treat uninsured patients while the state was hit by $ 1.4 billion in unreimbursed health costs. Texas spent $850 million for similar costs and Arizona suffered a $400 million shortfall. Officials estimate that 80% of these bills are traced to illegal immigrants gaming the system while sending home to Mexico an amount equal to or exceeding the bills they run up.
Shameless Latino politicians like Art Torres, state Democratic Party chairman and Assemblymen Hector De La Torre from Southgate (LA County) were outraged by Arnold's(a legal immigrant) endorsement of the Minutemen. Who do these Latino pols represent? How did they get their citizenship? Were they born in the California bushes(instant US citizenship) or were they granted amnesty? They owe alligience to the culture that they live in and were sworn to defend rather the culture in Mexico they were fleeing.
Another recent example of failed immigration policies showed up in San Francisco on April 27, 2005. An award for $87,000(plaintiff wanted $1 million) was allowed to go forward by U S Magistrate Judge Elizabeth D. Laporte. A Kenyan immigrant, Ms. Munya sued the U S government for "negligence" in not giving her asylum and deporting her back to Kenya. This award is thought to be a first of it's kind.. The lawyer who represented Munya is Philip Hwang. He is a lawyer with the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights in San Francisco. He says he has other cases ready to go based on this prescedent-one is a woman from Zimbabwe.
It would seem plain folk in America and border states in particular are surrounded. Illegals coming at them from the front and moronic INS regulations coming from behind. And the ubiquitous parasitic lawyers feasting on unproductive issues. This Kenyan was probably content to eat termite larvae weeks before but now has a judgement that she would not have earned in her entire life in Kenya.
Readers of this blog should contact the people mentioned in this article who have compromised American citizenship and have gamed the system. If you don't let them know your displeasure it will only get worse.
Recent figures in California support unconventional responses to this invasion from Mexico. In Southern California a $ 1.2 billion deficit is sinking the Los Angeles County Health Department. Last year LA County spent $ 340 million to treat uninsured patients while the state was hit by $ 1.4 billion in unreimbursed health costs. Texas spent $850 million for similar costs and Arizona suffered a $400 million shortfall. Officials estimate that 80% of these bills are traced to illegal immigrants gaming the system while sending home to Mexico an amount equal to or exceeding the bills they run up.
Shameless Latino politicians like Art Torres, state Democratic Party chairman and Assemblymen Hector De La Torre from Southgate (LA County) were outraged by Arnold's(a legal immigrant) endorsement of the Minutemen. Who do these Latino pols represent? How did they get their citizenship? Were they born in the California bushes(instant US citizenship) or were they granted amnesty? They owe alligience to the culture that they live in and were sworn to defend rather the culture in Mexico they were fleeing.
Another recent example of failed immigration policies showed up in San Francisco on April 27, 2005. An award for $87,000(plaintiff wanted $1 million) was allowed to go forward by U S Magistrate Judge Elizabeth D. Laporte. A Kenyan immigrant, Ms. Munya sued the U S government for "negligence" in not giving her asylum and deporting her back to Kenya. This award is thought to be a first of it's kind.. The lawyer who represented Munya is Philip Hwang. He is a lawyer with the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights in San Francisco. He says he has other cases ready to go based on this prescedent-one is a woman from Zimbabwe.
It would seem plain folk in America and border states in particular are surrounded. Illegals coming at them from the front and moronic INS regulations coming from behind. And the ubiquitous parasitic lawyers feasting on unproductive issues. This Kenyan was probably content to eat termite larvae weeks before but now has a judgement that she would not have earned in her entire life in Kenya.
Readers of this blog should contact the people mentioned in this article who have compromised American citizenship and have gamed the system. If you don't let them know your displeasure it will only get worse.
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Cocaine And Heroin: America Should Legalize Their Use
Secretary of State Rice was recently in Colombia. That country produces 90% of the cocaine and 50% of the heroin that is consumed in the US. Condi was reviewing Plan Colombia. This is a joint Colombian/American effort to eradicate poppy crops that are the source of the drugs. The results showed eradication of over 1.2 million acres. Yet the production has managed to rise during the 2001-2004 period. Production rose,product quality improved and prices were stable.
America has sunk about $ 5 billion into this full employment act for US outsource contractors and their Colombian counterparts. Drug use in the US has not withered like the crops. I think that the federally administered education programs in America have destroyed more young minds than drugs.
Drugs should be legalized and controlled as per alcoholic consumption. Prison space should be saved for truly dangerous people-perhaps some of our politicians. Typical of government programs the unsucessful results of Plan Colombia was sufficient justification for applying a similar plan in Afghanistan which has recently shown a increase loss of American lives.
America has sunk about $ 5 billion into this full employment act for US outsource contractors and their Colombian counterparts. Drug use in the US has not withered like the crops. I think that the federally administered education programs in America have destroyed more young minds than drugs.
Drugs should be legalized and controlled as per alcoholic consumption. Prison space should be saved for truly dangerous people-perhaps some of our politicians. Typical of government programs the unsucessful results of Plan Colombia was sufficient justification for applying a similar plan in Afghanistan which has recently shown a increase loss of American lives.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Nitze to PNAC: In Growth We Trust
In 1950 Paul Nitze, then head of policy planning for the State Department drafted a National Security Council document-NSC 68. The document stated" ..without an expansion of military spending the U S would face a decline in economic activity of serious proportion." President Eisenhower warned of the military-industrial complex in his farewell address in 1961.
In 1997 The Project for the New American Century was launched by a lot of the dyspeptic personnel that are in power today-Cheney,Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz et al. The PNAC mission statement continues the same ideology." We need to increase defense spending significantly....to perserve and extend an international order which is friendly to our security, our prosperity and our principles."
The fifty- plus intervening years has produced a hypertrophy military-industrial complex-20% of U S GDP is related to military-industrial and it's extensive supporting families and enterprises.
What happens to hypertrophies? By definition they are doomed by their own success. Zero sum planets and by extension zero sum Federal budgets eventually suffocate the hypertrophy because of an increasingly diminished support base. Simply the U S cannot afford the military and it's wars of choice. The growth that it provided for the economy becomes a drag because of dislocation of critical human needs and the unsustainable debt service that accompanies it. Some recent examples include the Joint Strike Fighter, DD(X) destroyer, Future Combat Systems are all over budget. Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan are examples of unconventional wars. We spend trillions on a war plan that our adversaries have no intention of engaging. In the end the foot soldier is the margin of victory. Our soldiers are not motivated like someone who is defending their homeland.
America should rely on a well armed militia and forget dreams of empire. We should be a country that is an example of sustainable (harmonious ) policies.
In 1997 The Project for the New American Century was launched by a lot of the dyspeptic personnel that are in power today-Cheney,Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz et al. The PNAC mission statement continues the same ideology." We need to increase defense spending significantly....to perserve and extend an international order which is friendly to our security, our prosperity and our principles."
The fifty- plus intervening years has produced a hypertrophy military-industrial complex-20% of U S GDP is related to military-industrial and it's extensive supporting families and enterprises.
What happens to hypertrophies? By definition they are doomed by their own success. Zero sum planets and by extension zero sum Federal budgets eventually suffocate the hypertrophy because of an increasingly diminished support base. Simply the U S cannot afford the military and it's wars of choice. The growth that it provided for the economy becomes a drag because of dislocation of critical human needs and the unsustainable debt service that accompanies it. Some recent examples include the Joint Strike Fighter, DD(X) destroyer, Future Combat Systems are all over budget. Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan are examples of unconventional wars. We spend trillions on a war plan that our adversaries have no intention of engaging. In the end the foot soldier is the margin of victory. Our soldiers are not motivated like someone who is defending their homeland.
America should rely on a well armed militia and forget dreams of empire. We should be a country that is an example of sustainable (harmonious ) policies.
Monday, April 25, 2005
Cheney and His Failed Foreign Policy
Congress approved $ 18.4 billion in 2003 for Iraqi reconstruction in the aftermath of America's invasion. Since that time about $ 4.8 billion has been spent. Security instead of reconstruction received most of those funds. Water, sewage and infrastructure projects have been delayed or canceled in favor of training Iraqi security forces. Simply the only jobs that are available are to become a hired gun for the U S forces against Iraqi insurgents. With 70% or more unemployed one can understand why security jobs get applicants. Iraqis killing Iraqis. Wasn't that America's only justification for the war after the WMD, Al Qaeda myths were exposed?
Over two years after the invasion, the U S is $ 300 billion poorer, almost 1,600 Americans are dead and Iraq has become a chaotic mess.
Meanwhile the basis of the unrest in the middle east -Israel-continues to build illegal settlements.
Dick Cheney is the architect of U S foreign policy-Bush is a moron. Call, write or e-mail this dyspeptic degenerate. Let him know what a mess he has made of things.
Over two years after the invasion, the U S is $ 300 billion poorer, almost 1,600 Americans are dead and Iraq has become a chaotic mess.
Meanwhile the basis of the unrest in the middle east -Israel-continues to build illegal settlements.
Dick Cheney is the architect of U S foreign policy-Bush is a moron. Call, write or e-mail this dyspeptic degenerate. Let him know what a mess he has made of things.
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Filibuster & Executive Order- End Both Tactics
A filibuster is a way for a minority to overcome a majority by an artificial tactic. It raises the passing vote to a higher 60 votes from a simple majority of 51. In some cases effectively stopping a motion. Simple majorities while it carries it's own form of tyranny are at least more accurate in reflecting the will of the governed. The senate should rescind the filibuster provision for all matters not just the judicial function so much in the news.
While they are at it, they should revoke the "executive order" priveledge of the president. Laws by fiat should not be in the hands of politicians. The executive should not be a legislature of one.
Affirmative Action was imposed upon America by the failed president Lyndon Johnson. People are still bearing the injustice of reverse discrimination. Filibusters are a kind of Affirmative Action. Obstructionist minorities of one are more loathesome than the obstructionist minorities in the senate.
While they are at it, they should revoke the "executive order" priveledge of the president. Laws by fiat should not be in the hands of politicians. The executive should not be a legislature of one.
Affirmative Action was imposed upon America by the failed president Lyndon Johnson. People are still bearing the injustice of reverse discrimination. Filibusters are a kind of Affirmative Action. Obstructionist minorities of one are more loathesome than the obstructionist minorities in the senate.
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Rice Putin
Sound like an Alabama dessert? No its a description of our own poodle Secretary of State C. Rice's recent meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania on April 20, 2005 with the president of Russia V. Putin. Ms. Rice was lecturing ( yet again) Mr. Putin about the need for more democracy in Russia and also the need for more oil being exported from Russia.
Secretary Rice was also interviewed by an independent radio show host who is frequently critical of Russian policies. The host asked asked Ms. Rice if America was exporting democracy the way the old Soviet Union exported socialism. Condi relied, " You do not actually have to export democracy". Which begs the question of the Bush doctrine of spreading democracy by force as god's work.
Our Secretary also was pressing Mr. Putin to allow U S firms into Russia to develop and increase oil production.
Why don't we make the same proposal to Iran? America should offer to develop and increase production in Iran. With an economic link to Iran, the government of Iran would be easier to deal with concerning the nuclear questions and we would have access to additional supplies. Gee, does that make too much sense? Politicians would be out of work if common sense were applied to questions of state. But no. Iran is offering long term supplies to India and China.
Secretary Rice was also interviewed by an independent radio show host who is frequently critical of Russian policies. The host asked asked Ms. Rice if America was exporting democracy the way the old Soviet Union exported socialism. Condi relied, " You do not actually have to export democracy". Which begs the question of the Bush doctrine of spreading democracy by force as god's work.
Our Secretary also was pressing Mr. Putin to allow U S firms into Russia to develop and increase oil production.
Why don't we make the same proposal to Iran? America should offer to develop and increase production in Iran. With an economic link to Iran, the government of Iran would be easier to deal with concerning the nuclear questions and we would have access to additional supplies. Gee, does that make too much sense? Politicians would be out of work if common sense were applied to questions of state. But no. Iran is offering long term supplies to India and China.
Zionists in The Pentagon
April 20, 2005- AIPAC ( American Israel Public Affairs Committee ) dismissed two of it's employees that were caught up in a Federal investigation of possible Israeli spying in th U S . AIPAC fired it's policy director, Steven Rosen, and it's senior Iran analyst Keith Weissman. Officials said the two former employees knew Lawrence A. Franklin, a Defense Department Analyst ( Iran specialist ) who is suspected of giving them classified information that was subsequently supplied to Israel. Mr Franklin was cooperating with authorities since September, 2004 but has suddenly stopped . Oddly he was brought back to work at the Pentagon on nonclassified jobs. I wonder if he promised not to access classified information?
I have never heard of AIPAC being politically forced to let operatives go. Hopefully the feds won't let this investigation be suffocated by the higher-ups in the White House and Congress.
AIPAC is the most powerful lobby in America. It represents a foreign country but has 65,000 members and 50 PACS across America.
Israel and America don't have to share a common destiny.
I have never heard of AIPAC being politically forced to let operatives go. Hopefully the feds won't let this investigation be suffocated by the higher-ups in the White House and Congress.
AIPAC is the most powerful lobby in America. It represents a foreign country but has 65,000 members and 50 PACS across America.
Israel and America don't have to share a common destiny.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Conservative Theme: Pope, Utah Education & Pentagon Official
April 20, 2005- A busy news day of diverse subjects with a common conservative theme.
Benedict XVI, the new Pope brings with him a rejection of "religious pluralism" and calls for a new Catholic evangelism. He also warns against birth control and further rejects the use of condoms even to prevent AIDS. The fine points of his arguments against condom use will be lost on the non-philosophical African demographic. Another resurgent religious group muscles it's way onto the crowded attitude-heavy stage. All religions should project the Golden Rule. This new Pope is not a sign of progress.
The State of Utah voted to ignore Federal guidelines in the No Child Left Behind program. The legislature instructed it's school boards to follow state goals when a choice is conflicted with federal goals. There are quite a few other states poised to follow Utah's move. This is progress.
Gordon R. England has been chosen to replace Deputy Secretary of Defense Wolfowitz. After his praised Senate confirmation hearing, Mr. England said he would visit Iraq and Afghanistan periodically. He said," You have to know your factory floor. And Iraq and Afghanistan are our factory floors."From a Zionist zealot we improve to a callous businessman. This is callous progress.
Conservative "values" are in the eyes of the beholder-they are subjective. But only sustainable values whether conservative or liberal will last.
Benedict XVI, the new Pope brings with him a rejection of "religious pluralism" and calls for a new Catholic evangelism. He also warns against birth control and further rejects the use of condoms even to prevent AIDS. The fine points of his arguments against condom use will be lost on the non-philosophical African demographic. Another resurgent religious group muscles it's way onto the crowded attitude-heavy stage. All religions should project the Golden Rule. This new Pope is not a sign of progress.
The State of Utah voted to ignore Federal guidelines in the No Child Left Behind program. The legislature instructed it's school boards to follow state goals when a choice is conflicted with federal goals. There are quite a few other states poised to follow Utah's move. This is progress.
Gordon R. England has been chosen to replace Deputy Secretary of Defense Wolfowitz. After his praised Senate confirmation hearing, Mr. England said he would visit Iraq and Afghanistan periodically. He said," You have to know your factory floor. And Iraq and Afghanistan are our factory floors."From a Zionist zealot we improve to a callous businessman. This is callous progress.
Conservative "values" are in the eyes of the beholder-they are subjective. But only sustainable values whether conservative or liberal will last.
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Afghanistan's New President is Worried
The mission creep of nation building and eradication of the poppy crops(heroin souce) in Afghanistan is becoming a problem for newly "democratically elected" President Hamid Karzai. On April 13, 2005 Karzai said "The conclusion we have drawn is that the Afghan people want a long term relationship with the United States. They want this relationship to be a wholesome one, including a substantial economic relationship, a political relationship and most important of all, a strategic security relationship that would enable Afghanistan to defend itself, to continue to prosper, to stop the possibility of interferences".
Anything else?
Sounds like Karzai is desperate. I know of no natural enemy that is threatening Afghanistan. The "possibility of interferences" probably refers to the Afghan people who are becoming increasingly unhappy with the disconnect of Karzai ,democracy and the reality of making a living which includes cultivating poppies. The U S has embarked on an eradication program with a toxic fallout effecting other crops,animals and people.
THe U S has to some degree responded positively to Karzai's request for military aid by bumping up to 20,000 from 18,000 the U S troop presence.
Karzai shoul read history. Puppet leaders who are installed and/or supported by foreign powers whether it be the U S , Russia,England et al always have a clock ticking a countdown when those puppets have to leave town.
Anything else?
Sounds like Karzai is desperate. I know of no natural enemy that is threatening Afghanistan. The "possibility of interferences" probably refers to the Afghan people who are becoming increasingly unhappy with the disconnect of Karzai ,democracy and the reality of making a living which includes cultivating poppies. The U S has embarked on an eradication program with a toxic fallout effecting other crops,animals and people.
THe U S has to some degree responded positively to Karzai's request for military aid by bumping up to 20,000 from 18,000 the U S troop presence.
Karzai shoul read history. Puppet leaders who are installed and/or supported by foreign powers whether it be the U S , Russia,England et al always have a clock ticking a countdown when those puppets have to leave town.
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
No Child Left Behind: Questions and Answers
A funny thing is happening to the No Child Left Behind program - reality is challenging its goals.
According to a recently released report by the National Evaluation Association. They develop tests for 43 states and 1,500 school districts. The results showed some upward creep (1-2 points) since the N.C.L.B. program started. But below those numbers a widening gap between minority and their white counterparts was evident. The explanation as per the Association is that better performing and/or interested students are getting more out of the classes than the less motivated or educationally challenged(white or any other race).
I don't think this is a bad thing if we can finally learn from those results. If the N.C.L.B program is about "universal proficiency" as per a Washington bureaucracy then two possibilities can be regarded as reaching that goal:
1) All students will advance at the same rate even if it means no one will reach their optimum potential. Ergo no child is left behind because nobody really advances.
Or.
2) All students will advance-some more than others- without regard to the uneven (undemcratic?) results. We are not all equal. Some will do better in school than others. It does not mean that the less scholastic children are or will be failures.
These results beg the question. Is the N. C. L. B program necessary? Isn't the problem with schools go back to the bureaucratic intrusion of the Federal Government in the 1960's? The mandate of equality in education broght in unproductive schemes like bussing, compromising the S A T and lowering academic standards to mention a few. I think the solution that these results point to is local control over school curriculum and paid by local monies. Utah and other states are leading in this direction.
The old days produced leaders like Jefferson and Franklin-true scholars that were also well-rounded. They were not like our modern leaders- kennel-raised politicians like Clinton and Bush.
1)
According to a recently released report by the National Evaluation Association. They develop tests for 43 states and 1,500 school districts. The results showed some upward creep (1-2 points) since the N.C.L.B. program started. But below those numbers a widening gap between minority and their white counterparts was evident. The explanation as per the Association is that better performing and/or interested students are getting more out of the classes than the less motivated or educationally challenged(white or any other race).
I don't think this is a bad thing if we can finally learn from those results. If the N.C.L.B program is about "universal proficiency" as per a Washington bureaucracy then two possibilities can be regarded as reaching that goal:
1) All students will advance at the same rate even if it means no one will reach their optimum potential. Ergo no child is left behind because nobody really advances.
Or.
2) All students will advance-some more than others- without regard to the uneven (undemcratic?) results. We are not all equal. Some will do better in school than others. It does not mean that the less scholastic children are or will be failures.
These results beg the question. Is the N. C. L. B program necessary? Isn't the problem with schools go back to the bureaucratic intrusion of the Federal Government in the 1960's? The mandate of equality in education broght in unproductive schemes like bussing, compromising the S A T and lowering academic standards to mention a few. I think the solution that these results point to is local control over school curriculum and paid by local monies. Utah and other states are leading in this direction.
The old days produced leaders like Jefferson and Franklin-true scholars that were also well-rounded. They were not like our modern leaders- kennel-raised politicians like Clinton and Bush.
1)
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Sharon & Bush : Some People Never Learn
The prime minister of Israel Ariel Sharon visited President Bush at his ranch in Crawford, Texas on April 11, 2005. The photo-op that was seen round the world only reinforced the fact that Israel has America on a short leash. The staged meeting was to support Israel's withdrawal from Gaza. Suffocating security required for Sharon's safety had him spending the night in Waco,Tx. He spent only an 1 1/2 hours with W. It seems that more than a few thousand Israelis are suspected of wanting to assasinate him. That would be the same fate that Prime Minister Rabin received some years ago when he signed a peace deal(Oslo Accords) with the Palestinians. Right wing Israelis are as rabid as Al Qaeda militants when it comes to property rights- no matter how they got it.
The Israeli's parlayed the meeting for additional aid for new settlements in the Negev and Galilee regions and for moving expenses in Gaza. The reality of the Gaza evacuation was the relentless resistence of the occupied Palestinians. Simply Israel could no longer defend the position.
Ominously W reiterated his support for Israel not to be bound by 1949 borders because it would be" impractical". Also W barely quibbled over the inflammatory expansion of Maale Adumin by the Israelis. This expansion will only further isolate and partition what is left of Palestine. What did America get in return for these considerations? Nothing-such a deal.
The new Palestinian prime minister Mahmoud Abbas, who is already hemorrhaging in the polls will certainly lose more ground to the militants like Hamas because of Abbas's ineffective approach. More trouble lies ahead.
America has spent over $300 billion in fighting the war on terror and persuing another redrawing of the map of the middle east. The creation of Israel out of Palestine, a legal land swindle and the continued settlement activity of the Israelis has only continued to inflame the region.
Sharon is demanding disarmament of the militants as the price for normalized Palestinian relations. Why would anyone disarm in the occupied territories. That would only invite more Israeli expansion.
America should cut its ties with Israel. Let Israel survive or not based on it's own demographic strengths and not the leveraged U S influence.
The Israeli's parlayed the meeting for additional aid for new settlements in the Negev and Galilee regions and for moving expenses in Gaza. The reality of the Gaza evacuation was the relentless resistence of the occupied Palestinians. Simply Israel could no longer defend the position.
Ominously W reiterated his support for Israel not to be bound by 1949 borders because it would be" impractical". Also W barely quibbled over the inflammatory expansion of Maale Adumin by the Israelis. This expansion will only further isolate and partition what is left of Palestine. What did America get in return for these considerations? Nothing-such a deal.
The new Palestinian prime minister Mahmoud Abbas, who is already hemorrhaging in the polls will certainly lose more ground to the militants like Hamas because of Abbas's ineffective approach. More trouble lies ahead.
America has spent over $300 billion in fighting the war on terror and persuing another redrawing of the map of the middle east. The creation of Israel out of Palestine, a legal land swindle and the continued settlement activity of the Israelis has only continued to inflame the region.
Sharon is demanding disarmament of the militants as the price for normalized Palestinian relations. Why would anyone disarm in the occupied territories. That would only invite more Israeli expansion.
America should cut its ties with Israel. Let Israel survive or not based on it's own demographic strengths and not the leveraged U S influence.
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Job Security and the China Threat
The China export juggernaut has now engulfed other nations besides America. Foreign investment from around the the world into Chinese manufacturing infrastructure is paying off for multinationals . About two years ago- for the first time ever- global investment funds for manufacturing were larger in China than America. Those plants are now humming with Chinese workers reading the Chinese symboled instructions of operation. The Industrial Revolution which created the middle class in England in the 19th century has now moved to China with a resulting decline in the middle class in America and elsewhere.
On April 8, 2005 China Customs( official agency) posted the results of a worldwide trade surplus of $10.9 billion through the first two months of 2005 versus a $7.9 billion deficit in 2004(same period). China always ran a huge surplus with the U S which was enough to offset deficits with other nations. But now it is running surpluses with mostly everyone.
What is being done? Protectionist legislation is working it's way through Congress including a 27.5% tariff on Chinese goods if China does not revalue its currency (yuan) from a perceived 40% undervaluation. A revaluation would be a superficial fix. One should never confuse the sympton for the cause of a problem. The non-competitive governments in the West are the basic problem.
America for example can't compete because of a legal system that rewards delay and overvalues equal rights without equal obligations-our welfare system. Our cost of government including Medicare and Medicaid raise the poverty level to $18,000 per year for a family of four.. A manufacturing worker in China earns about $1,500 per year. This is why America is not attracting investments for manufacturing.
What should be done? Low-cost adaptive behavior will translate into jobs being retained in America.
Here are some thoughts.
1) The cost of our national government is too expensive and cumbersome. State and local government are more cheap to run and are more responsive to changes. All politics are local. Shut down the federal government in the areas that can be done by state and local governments..
2) Our legal system needs a "loser pays" provision( like the rest of the world). We would be more competitive. The legal system should also reward expedited solutions and penalize delayed costly ones.
3) The low-cost producer will always survive. Darwin's observation is valid for workers also. The low-cost producer in the future will use barter as part or all of it's business model.
4) Abolish the tax code and replace it with a Nationa Sales Tax of about a 15% rate (check out Cato Institute's plan). A sales tax would reward savings. More savings domestically will mitigate the need to borrow from abroad. Everything has a cost-a sales tax is a recognition of the cost to the environment. A sales tax insures everyone will pay.
America created the circumstances of it's non-competiveness. We can fix it.
On April 8, 2005 China Customs( official agency) posted the results of a worldwide trade surplus of $10.9 billion through the first two months of 2005 versus a $7.9 billion deficit in 2004(same period). China always ran a huge surplus with the U S which was enough to offset deficits with other nations. But now it is running surpluses with mostly everyone.
What is being done? Protectionist legislation is working it's way through Congress including a 27.5% tariff on Chinese goods if China does not revalue its currency (yuan) from a perceived 40% undervaluation. A revaluation would be a superficial fix. One should never confuse the sympton for the cause of a problem. The non-competitive governments in the West are the basic problem.
America for example can't compete because of a legal system that rewards delay and overvalues equal rights without equal obligations-our welfare system. Our cost of government including Medicare and Medicaid raise the poverty level to $18,000 per year for a family of four.. A manufacturing worker in China earns about $1,500 per year. This is why America is not attracting investments for manufacturing.
What should be done? Low-cost adaptive behavior will translate into jobs being retained in America.
Here are some thoughts.
1) The cost of our national government is too expensive and cumbersome. State and local government are more cheap to run and are more responsive to changes. All politics are local. Shut down the federal government in the areas that can be done by state and local governments..
2) Our legal system needs a "loser pays" provision( like the rest of the world). We would be more competitive. The legal system should also reward expedited solutions and penalize delayed costly ones.
3) The low-cost producer will always survive. Darwin's observation is valid for workers also. The low-cost producer in the future will use barter as part or all of it's business model.
4) Abolish the tax code and replace it with a Nationa Sales Tax of about a 15% rate (check out Cato Institute's plan). A sales tax would reward savings. More savings domestically will mitigate the need to borrow from abroad. Everything has a cost-a sales tax is a recognition of the cost to the environment. A sales tax insures everyone will pay.
America created the circumstances of it's non-competiveness. We can fix it.
Israel, AIPAC And Nuclear Technology Transfer
April 8, 2005: Asher Karni, an Israeli businessman, who also runs a South African company called Top-Cape Technology in Cape Town, South Africa, has been cooperating with the U S government since September , 2004. Federal investigators revealed yesterday that he pleaded guilty to helping Pakistani Humayun Khan ( no relation to A Q Khan who was also selling nuclear weapon related hardware around the world). Mr. Karni arranged the purchase of possible nuclear related equipment for an illegal destination-Pakistan. Also Mr. Karni acknowledged that he was involved in 2002 of illegally selling "controlled" (dual-use) nuclear weapons related equipment to India.
Israel is America's poster image for a democratic Middle East. Israel also has 100-200 nuclear bombs with American jets and missles that can deliver them. Israel is the reason there has been an arms race in that region.
AIPAC ( American-Israel Public Affairs Committee) has enormous influence in the U S Congress and legislatures across the land. They also draw on The Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations which is run by Mort Zuckerman (owner-editor of U S News & World Report). Between the both of those organizations and the 50 PACS they control across America they pour millions into buying votes from our money-addicted politicians(second oldest profession). Some of the money they use is recycled U S grant money($2.8 billion per year). AIPAC 's influence in getting legislation passed to have Israel a legitimate destination for that kind of equipment set up the oppotunity for the likes of Mr. Karni to divert to illegal destinations-Pakistan and India. This is the legal underworld of Israeli influence in America's government.
If your representative in Wasington or in your state capitol is not on the phone to an AIPAC rep let him know you want him to stop taking foreign money that interferes with America's domestic security.
Israel is America's poster image for a democratic Middle East. Israel also has 100-200 nuclear bombs with American jets and missles that can deliver them. Israel is the reason there has been an arms race in that region.
AIPAC ( American-Israel Public Affairs Committee) has enormous influence in the U S Congress and legislatures across the land. They also draw on The Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations which is run by Mort Zuckerman (owner-editor of U S News & World Report). Between the both of those organizations and the 50 PACS they control across America they pour millions into buying votes from our money-addicted politicians(second oldest profession). Some of the money they use is recycled U S grant money($2.8 billion per year). AIPAC 's influence in getting legislation passed to have Israel a legitimate destination for that kind of equipment set up the oppotunity for the likes of Mr. Karni to divert to illegal destinations-Pakistan and India. This is the legal underworld of Israeli influence in America's government.
If your representative in Wasington or in your state capitol is not on the phone to an AIPAC rep let him know you want him to stop taking foreign money that interferes with America's domestic security.
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Local Solution to National Problem
Attempts by Mexican illegals to enter the U S across the Mexico-Arizona border was cut in half (400 to 200 ) do to a grass-roots uprising in Arizona about a week ago. Approximately 1000 civilian volunteers with guns, binoculars and communication devices are helping to spot illegals and report them to the U S Border Patrol for a quick arrest.
Could it be that simple? Local people getting involved to solve a national problem that the politicians in Washigton won't address effectively. Surely Vicente Fox,the president of Mexico, is calling his man in Washington George W Bush about the inconvenience.
All politics are local. Why pay two politicians?One lives in Washigton and the other lives locally.Its time to take back the power of Washington over local affairs.
Could it be that simple? Local people getting involved to solve a national problem that the politicians in Washigton won't address effectively. Surely Vicente Fox,the president of Mexico, is calling his man in Washington George W Bush about the inconvenience.
All politics are local. Why pay two politicians?One lives in Washigton and the other lives locally.Its time to take back the power of Washington over local affairs.
Afghanistan: More Than the Weather is Bad
April 6, 2005: An American CH-47 Chinook went down killing 16 American soldiers with two still missing. It went down south of Kabul, Afghanistan in "bad weather".
March 29, 2005: Two U S soldiers were wounded in an ambush by insurgents in southern Afghanistan.
March 26, 2005: Four U S soldiers were killed when their vehicle struck a land mine in southern Afghanistan.
February 4, 2005: A civilian plane crashed in southern Afghanistan killing 104 passengers and crew members. The deaths included 6 American aid workers and contractors. "Bad weather" was cited as the cause.
November, 2004 : Three U S soldiers and 3 civilian crew members were killed when their plane crashed into a mountain in central Afghanistan. The cause was "bad weather"
America invaded Afghanistan in October, 2001. Since that time including these recent fatalities 138 Americans have lost their lives-30% of that total in the past 3 months. It is beginning to look like a trend of resistence more than "bad weather". The Afghanis defeated the Russians with American supplied hand-held Stinger ground-to-air missle launchers. I am sure they did not return those weapons to the U S after the Russians left.
Attacking the Taliban by the U S was a mission that was appropriate. But nation-building and eradication of the poppy crops (source of heroin) is mission creep that runs up against the culture and economy of the Afghan people. The spraying of the poppy crops spills over into staple crops, water,animals and people. Sadly, I think more loss of US lives is on the way.
One thing for sure, using "bad weather" as an excuse for loss of U S soldiers has a time limit.
March 29, 2005: Two U S soldiers were wounded in an ambush by insurgents in southern Afghanistan.
March 26, 2005: Four U S soldiers were killed when their vehicle struck a land mine in southern Afghanistan.
February 4, 2005: A civilian plane crashed in southern Afghanistan killing 104 passengers and crew members. The deaths included 6 American aid workers and contractors. "Bad weather" was cited as the cause.
November, 2004 : Three U S soldiers and 3 civilian crew members were killed when their plane crashed into a mountain in central Afghanistan. The cause was "bad weather"
America invaded Afghanistan in October, 2001. Since that time including these recent fatalities 138 Americans have lost their lives-30% of that total in the past 3 months. It is beginning to look like a trend of resistence more than "bad weather". The Afghanis defeated the Russians with American supplied hand-held Stinger ground-to-air missle launchers. I am sure they did not return those weapons to the U S after the Russians left.
Attacking the Taliban by the U S was a mission that was appropriate. But nation-building and eradication of the poppy crops (source of heroin) is mission creep that runs up against the culture and economy of the Afghan people. The spraying of the poppy crops spills over into staple crops, water,animals and people. Sadly, I think more loss of US lives is on the way.
One thing for sure, using "bad weather" as an excuse for loss of U S soldiers has a time limit.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
The Bible, Poverty and Modern Medicine
The Bible mentions poverty 3000 times. Christ personally talked about helping the poor on many occasions. If one were to sum-up the Bible's main message it would necessarily be to" help the poor". Christ was relevant to the people of his time because of that connecting message. Poverty is a quality of life issue.
This brings me to the question of poverty in the modern age and the issues of life prolonging medicines and the resulting issues of quality of life and termination of life.
Modern medicine has a two sided impact on the quality of life. From fertility drugs that enhance conception through antibiotics that fight life-threatening diseases to questionable life prolonging techniques that can prolong life for an indefinite period-Terri Schiavo was on life support for about 15 years ( no quality of life).
The other aspect of modern medicine is the overcrowding and the resulting pressure on natural resources. We live on a zero sum planet. One species gain is anothers loss. Creationists or evolutionists would have no argument on that fact.
This is the question. Does modern man do god's work when he helps people have an improved quality of life? Whether you believe in god or the golden rule one would answer yes. But on the flip side, does modern man do god's work when he encourages child bearing, provides life saving drugs and prolongs life artificially without consideration to the quality of life? Fifty percent of childhood deaths are caused by malnutrition.
If modern man and his medicine want to fight poverty and provide quality of life at the same time then it becomes an imperative for medicines two-sided impact to be addressed.
This brings me to the question of poverty in the modern age and the issues of life prolonging medicines and the resulting issues of quality of life and termination of life.
Modern medicine has a two sided impact on the quality of life. From fertility drugs that enhance conception through antibiotics that fight life-threatening diseases to questionable life prolonging techniques that can prolong life for an indefinite period-Terri Schiavo was on life support for about 15 years ( no quality of life).
The other aspect of modern medicine is the overcrowding and the resulting pressure on natural resources. We live on a zero sum planet. One species gain is anothers loss. Creationists or evolutionists would have no argument on that fact.
This is the question. Does modern man do god's work when he helps people have an improved quality of life? Whether you believe in god or the golden rule one would answer yes. But on the flip side, does modern man do god's work when he encourages child bearing, provides life saving drugs and prolongs life artificially without consideration to the quality of life? Fifty percent of childhood deaths are caused by malnutrition.
If modern man and his medicine want to fight poverty and provide quality of life at the same time then it becomes an imperative for medicines two-sided impact to be addressed.
Monday, April 04, 2005
BOOK LAUNCH PARTY
Book: Evangelicals,Zionists & Secular Neocons
Author: Barry Leonardini
Where: Monticello Inn , 127 Ellis St, San Francisco, Ca. ( Ellis at Powell )
Time: April 20, 2005- 5:30 pm-6:30 pm
Refreshments : Complimentary wine.
Author: Barry Leonardini
Where: Monticello Inn , 127 Ellis St, San Francisco, Ca. ( Ellis at Powell )
Time: April 20, 2005- 5:30 pm-6:30 pm
Refreshments : Complimentary wine.
Only 40 Tribes and one Gold Mine: No Wealth for a Democracy
Kyrgyzstan has been very much in the news lately. The Bush democracy machine has been eagerly passing out prepackaged news about the popular uprising in the Central Asian country. It was marketed as another example of democracy flowering because of the nurturing of America's democratic gardener George W. Bush. The U S has been pouring millions into this country so that democratic institutions could supplant the semiauthoritarian state government -which was elected. The fertilizer for democracy was millions of dollars passed out to activists by U S organizations like the National Endowment For Democracy. This organization has the democratic template that all" successful societies" must adopt according to the Bush Doctrine. But the fertilizer of money had a shallow penetration. The roots of the uprising could not penetrate into the soul of the Kyrgystan's people. After two weeks, the net result seems to indicate that the former leaders have been merely replaced by new leaders who have similar policies. The word "Kyrgyz" means forty clans. The new government reflects a new combination of those original clans. Also, and probably more importantly for a future democratic state, there still is only one gold mine that is the principle source of wealth.
Democracy needs wealth for it to take root. If there is no wealth then there is no wealth to pass around as per the voters of special interests that comprise all democracies.
As America is finding out in Afghanistan and Iraq the tribes are the basis of their cultures also. The West enjoys democracy because of its wealth. The East has gone through its wealth thousands of years ago.The Fertile Crescent has become largely a desert. So people do what they can with the soil that is left. And by extension their culture , religion and government reflect the realities of their soil. Soil is the basis of all wealth.
And this is the main difference between East and West.
Democracy needs wealth for it to take root. If there is no wealth then there is no wealth to pass around as per the voters of special interests that comprise all democracies.
As America is finding out in Afghanistan and Iraq the tribes are the basis of their cultures also. The West enjoys democracy because of its wealth. The East has gone through its wealth thousands of years ago.The Fertile Crescent has become largely a desert. So people do what they can with the soil that is left. And by extension their culture , religion and government reflect the realities of their soil. Soil is the basis of all wealth.
And this is the main difference between East and West.
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Minuteman Project: Grass roots answer to illegal immigration.
A refreshingly direct answer to illegal immigration on the Mexico-Arizona border has sprung up. Called the Minuteman Project ( the Minuteman name came from America's revolutionary fighters) it involves approximately 1000 volunteers. They supply themselves with guns, binoculars and communication devices. These are private citizens. They want to augment the woefully understaffed regular border patrol of the U S Government.Their self assigned mission is to spot illegals entering the U S and report them to the border guards for a quick arrest. President Bush has condemned the Project. Bush is the guy who started a preemptive war on Iraq with cooked-up intelligence but has reservations about American's protecting their own jobs and country. "The New York Times" so far has not covered the story which probabably means that their logo "All the News That is Fit to Print" has to be related to the Israeli situation.
Former INS Commissioner Doris Meissner was quoted " Lets all hope it does'nt spin out of control and become ugly". I have news for Ms. Meissner. The Minuteman respnse is because illegal immigration has gotten ugly and has spun out of control. There are about 10 million illegals in America. Government figures indicate that Mexican illegals send back home to Mexico about $13 billion a year.The costs of running emergency clinics nationally that are not reimbursed (illegal immigrant usage) run about $9 billion per year. Schools, legal aid and governtment aid runs into the billions annually which are tied to illegals.
The Minuteman Project has a lot to do with self-defense. America needs local answers. All politics are local. If a country has enough local answers there will not be national problems. No national problems then the national government becomes superflous which eliminates the need for taxes and spending which Bush and other presidents before him auction off to their supporters.
It's no wonder that Bush takes the Minuteman Project personally.
Former INS Commissioner Doris Meissner was quoted " Lets all hope it does'nt spin out of control and become ugly". I have news for Ms. Meissner. The Minuteman respnse is because illegal immigration has gotten ugly and has spun out of control. There are about 10 million illegals in America. Government figures indicate that Mexican illegals send back home to Mexico about $13 billion a year.The costs of running emergency clinics nationally that are not reimbursed (illegal immigrant usage) run about $9 billion per year. Schools, legal aid and governtment aid runs into the billions annually which are tied to illegals.
The Minuteman Project has a lot to do with self-defense. America needs local answers. All politics are local. If a country has enough local answers there will not be national problems. No national problems then the national government becomes superflous which eliminates the need for taxes and spending which Bush and other presidents before him auction off to their supporters.
It's no wonder that Bush takes the Minuteman Project personally.
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